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Outsourcing, complementary innovations, and growth

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  • Alireza Naghavi
  • Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano

Abstract

This article studies the parallel creation of complementary innovations serving the upstream and downstream stages of a production chain with the aim of shedding light on the impact of outsourcing on R&D when supply contracts are incomplete. We argue that outsourced upstream production contributes to the emergence of innovation networks by creating a demand for upstream R&D. The bargaining weight of the two parties determines whether outsourcing decisions that lead to static specialization gains also generate dynamic gains when compared with vertically integrated production that relies on integrated R&D. In particular, growth is maximized when the bargaining power is split in a way that search and hold-up frictions are minimized. Putting this result next to the decision of firms to outsource, we conclude that complementary innovations are more likely to foster growth in Schumpeterian Mark I sectors, while vertical integration does so in Schumpeterian Mark II sectors. Copyright 2010 The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.

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Bibliographic Info

Article provided by Oxford University Press in its journal Industrial and Corporate Change.

Volume (Year): 19 (2010)
Issue (Month): 4 (August)
Pages: 1009-1035

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Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:19:y:2010:i:4:p:1009-1035

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  1. Elhanan Helpman, 2006. "Trade, FDI, and the Organization of Firms," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 44(3), pages 589-630, September.
  2. Acemoglu, D. & Aghion, P. & Zilibotti, F., 2006. "Distance to frontier, selection, and economic growth," Open Access publications from University College London http://discovery.ucl.ac.u, University College London.
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  5. Oliver Hart & Sanford Grossman, 1985. "The Costs and Benefits of Ownership: A Theory of Vertical and Lateral Integration," Working papers 372, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Economics.
  6. Grossman, Gene & Helpman, Elhanan, 2002. "Outsourcing Versus FDI in Industry Equilibrium," CEPR Discussion Papers 3647, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  7. Robert Feenstra, 2003. "Integration Of Trade And Disintegration Of Production In The Global Economy," Working Papers 986, University of California, Davis, Department of Economics.
  8. Markusen, James R., 2002. "Multinational Firms and the Theory of International Trade," MPRA Paper 8380, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  9. Robert C. Feenstra & Gordon H. Hanson, 2005. "Ownership and Control in Outsourcing to China: Estimating the Property-Rights Theory of the Firm," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 120(2), pages 729-761, May.
  10. Pol Antràs, 2003. "Firms, Contracts, and Trade Structure," NBER Working Papers 9740, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  11. Antras, Pol, 2003. "Firms, Contracts, and Trade Structure," Scholarly Articles 3196328, Harvard University Department of Economics.
  12. Naghavi, Alireza & Ottaviano, Gianmarco Ireo Paolo, 2006. "Outsourcing, Contracts and Innovation Networks," CEPR Discussion Papers 5681, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  13. Jones, Charles I, 1995. "R&D-Based Models of Economic Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 103(4), pages 759-84, August.
  14. Edwin Lai & Raymond Riezman & Ping Wang, 2009. "Outsourcing of innovation," Economic Theory, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 485-515, March.
  15. Ottaviano, Gianmarco Ireo Paolo, 2007. "Contract Enforcement, Comparative Advantage and Long-Run Growth," CEPR Discussion Papers 6419, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
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Cited by:
  1. Ottaviano, Gianmarco Ireo Paolo, 2007. "Contract Enforcement, Comparative Advantage and Long-Run Growth," CEPR Discussion Papers 6419, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  2. Fabrice Defever, 2011. "Incomplete Contracts and the Impact of Globalization on Consumer Welfare," CESifo Working Paper Series 3484, CESifo Group Munich.
  3. Naghavi, Alireza & Ottaviano, Gianmarco Ireo Paolo, 2006. "Offshoring and Product Innovation," CEPR Discussion Papers 6008, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  4. Lionel Fontagné & Guillaume Gaulier & Soledad Zignago, 2008. "Specialization across varieties and North-South competition," Economic Policy, CEPR & CES & MSH, vol. 23, pages 51-91, 01.

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