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Harmonization of Product Classifications: A Consistent Time Series of Economic Trade Activities

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  • Baumgartner Christoph
  • Walde Janette

    (Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Statistics, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Srhoj Stjepan

    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, University of Split, Split, Croatia)

Abstract

Firm-product data provide information for various research questions in international trade, industrial or innovation economics. However, working with these data requires harmonizing product classifications consistently over time to avoid internal validity issues. Harmonization is required because classification systems like the EU classifications combined nomenclature (CN) for goods or the Prodcom for the production of manufactured goods undergo several changes. We have addressed this problem and developed an approach to harmonize product codes. This approach tracks product codes from 1995 to 2022 for CN and 2001 to 2021 for Prodcom. Additional years can be conveniently added. We provide the harmonized product codes for CN and Prodcom in the selected period’s last (or first) year. Our approach is summarized in an open-source R package so that researchers can consistently track product codes for their selected period. We demonstrate the importance of harmonization using the micro-level trade data for Croatia as a case study. Our approach facilitates working with firm-product data, allowing the analysis of important research questions.

Suggested Citation

  • Baumgartner Christoph & Walde Janette & Srhoj Stjepan, 2023. "Harmonization of Product Classifications: A Consistent Time Series of Economic Trade Activities," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 243(6), pages 643-662, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:243:y:2023:i:6:p:643-662:n:7
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2022-0034
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    product code; concordance; CN; HS; Prodcom; BEC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis

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