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The real exchange rate, innovation and productivity : regional heterogeneity, asymmetries and hysteresis

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  • Alfaro, Laura
  • Cunat, Alejandro
  • Liu, Yanping
  • Fadinger, Harald

Abstract

We evaluate manufacturing firms' responses to changes in the real exchange rate (RER) using detailed firm-level data for a large set of countries for the period 2001-2010. We uncover the following stylized facts: In export-oriented emerging Asia, real depreciations are associated with faster growth of firm-level TFP, higher sales and cash-flow, and higher probabilities to engage in R&D and to export. We find negative effects for firms in other emerging economies, which are relatively more import dependent, and no significant effects for firms in industrialized economies. Motivated by these facts, we build a dynamic model in which real depreciations raise the cost of importing intermediates, affect demand, borrowing-constraints and the profitability of engaging in innovation (R&D). We decompose the effects of RER changes on productivity growth across regions into these channels. We estimate the model and quantitatively evaluate the different mechanisms by providing counterfactual simulations of temporary RER movements and conduct several robustness analyses. Effects on physical TFP growth, while different across regions, are non-linear and asymmetric.

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  • Alfaro, Laura & Cunat, Alejandro & Liu, Yanping & Fadinger, Harald, 2018. "The real exchange rate, innovation and productivity : regional heterogeneity, asymmetries and hysteresis," Working Papers 18-05, University of Mannheim, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:mnh:wpaper:45052
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    2. Doungdao Mahakitsiri & Wisarut Suwanprasert, 2020. "Understanding the Bimodality of the Export Intensity Distribution in Thailand," PIER Discussion Papers 139, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    3. Benguria, Felipe & Matsumoto, Hidehiko & Saffie, Felipe, 2022. "Productivity and trade dynamics in sudden stops," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    4. Zehri, Chokri, 2022. "Asymmetric impact of capital controls on international trade," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    5. Donna, Javier D., 2018. "Measuring Long-Run Price Elasticities in Urban Travel Demand," MPRA Paper 90059, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Bernabe Lopez‐Martin, 2022. "Firm Export Dynamics And The Exchange Rate: A Quantitative Exploration," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1137-1163, August.
    7. Firat Demir & Arslan Razmi, 2022. "The Real Exchange Rate And Development Theory, Evidence, Issues And Challenges," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 386-428, April.
    8. Dao, Mai Chi & Minoiu, Camelia & Ostry, Jonathan D., 2021. "Corporate investment and the real exchange rate," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    9. Alfaro, Laura & Asis, Gonzalo & Chari, Anusha & Panizza, Ugo, 2019. "Corporate debt, firm size and financial fragility in emerging markets," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 1-19.
    10. Deseatnicov, Ivan & Klochko, Olga, 2023. "Currency risk and the dynamics of German investors entry and exit in Russia," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    11. Ping Hua, 2020. "Real Exchange Rates and Manufacturing Industry in China," Post-Print hal-03041506, HAL.
    12. Krishnan, Pramila & Gebrewolde, Tewodros & Koelle, Michael & Mengistu, Andualem Telaye, 2020. "Currency Shocks and Firm Behaviour in Ethiopia and Uganda," CEPR Discussion Papers 15524, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    13. Saleh S. Tabrizy, 2020. "Industrial research and development and real exchange rate depreciation in a small open economy," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(9), pages 2490-2523, September.
    14. Nils M. Gornemann & Pablo Guerrón-Quintana & Felipe Saffie, 2020. "Exchange Rates and Endogenous Productivity," International Finance Discussion Papers 1301, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    15. Rodnyansky, A., 2018. "(Un)Competitive Devaluations and Firm Dynamics," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1888, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    real exchange rate ; innovation ; productivity ; exporting ; importing ; financial constraints ; firm-level data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F - International Economics
    • O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth

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