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The China effect: Evidence from data at firm level in Thailand

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  • Zhi, Yan
  • Bao, Di
  • Luo, Changyuan

Abstract

This study investigates how competition with Chinese imports affects firms in Thailand. Using World Bank data on Thailand and United Nations trade data from 2003 to 2006, the empirical results show that there is no significant impact of Chinese import competition on employment, wages, or labor income share. However, further checks show that for firms with lower productivity, the impact on employment and labor income share is more likely to be negative. The impact of Chinese import competition on profit margins is significantly positive. Considering the impact on labor income share and profit margins, we conclude that because of Chinese import competition, income distribution possibly goes in disfavor of labor. Our study shows that the impact of Chinese import competition on the skilled labor ratio is positive and significant. This result suggests that Thai firms are on the path to skill upgrading as a result of Chinese import competition, which is helpful for Thailand’s long-run economic growth. As firms with low productivity are more likely to be negatively affected by Chinese import competition, improving productivity is still an efficient way to counter such competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhi, Yan & Bao, Di & Luo, Changyuan, 2019. "The China effect: Evidence from data at firm level in Thailand," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecosys:v:43:y:2019:i:2:1
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecosys.2019.100700
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Chinese import competition; Income distribution; Skill upgrading;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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