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Information Frictions, Internet, and the Relationship between Distance and Trade

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  • Anders Akerman
  • Edwin Leuven
  • Magne Mogstad

Abstract

We examine how the adoption of information communication technology affects bilateral trade. The context is a public program in Norway that rolled out broadband access points leading to plausibly exogenous variation in the availability and adoption of broadband by firms. We find that broadband makes trade patterns more sensitive to distance and economic size. These results are consistent with a model of trade with variable elasticity of demand. The model predicts that adoption of a technology that lowers information frictions enlarges the choice set of exporters and importers. This makes demand more elastic with respect to trade costs and thus distance.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders Akerman & Edwin Leuven & Magne Mogstad, 2022. "Information Frictions, Internet, and the Relationship between Distance and Trade," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 133-163, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:133-63
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20190589
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    3. Malgouyres, Clément & Mayer, Thierry & Mazet-Sonilhac, Clément, 2021. "Technology-induced trade shocks? Evidence from broadband expansion in France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
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    7. Eggenberger, Christian & Janssen, Simon & Backes-Gellner, Uschi, 2022. "The value of specific skills under shock: High risks and high returns," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    8. Messner, Teresa & Rumler, Fabio & Strasser, Georg, 2023. "Cross-country price and inflation dispersion: retail network or national border?," Working Paper Series 2776, European Central Bank.
    9. Hongyu Li & Zhiqiang Lu & Qili Yin, 2023. "The Development of Fintech and SME Innovation: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    10. Kersan-Škabić Ines, 2021. "Information and Communication Technology Development and Foreign Trade in the Region of South-East Europe," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 16(2), pages 101-113, December.
    11. David Autor & David Dorn & Lawrence F Katz & Christina Patterson & John Van Reenen, 2020. "The Fall of the Labor Share and the Rise of Superstar Firms [“Automation and New Tasks: How Technology Displaces and Reinstates Labor”]," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 135(2), pages 645-709.
    12. Clémence Lenoir & Julien Martin & Isabelle Mejean, 2022. "Search Frictions in International Goods Markets," Post-Print hal-03880110, HAL.
    13. Clément Mazet-Sonilhac, 2021. "In search of frictions [Les frictions informationnelles dans les marchés du crédit et des biens]," SciencePo Working papers tel-03439354, HAL.
    14. Fernandes, Ana M. & Mattoo, Aaditya & Nguyen, Huy & Schiffbauer, Marc, 2019. "The internet and Chinese exports in the pre-ali baba era," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 57-76.
    15. Clément Mazet-Sonilhac, 2021. "In search of frictions [Les frictions informationnelles dans les marchés du crédit et des biens]," SciencePo Working papers Main tel-03439354, HAL.
    16. Geoff Weir, 2018. "Wage Growth Puzzles and Technology," RBA Research Discussion Papers rdp2018-10, Reserve Bank of Australia.
    17. Malgouyres, Clément & Mayer, Thierry & Mazet-Sonilhac, Clément, 2021. "Technology-induced trade shocks? Evidence from broadband expansion in France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    18. Clémence Lenoir & Julien Martin & Isabelle Mejean, 2022. "Search Frictions in International Goods Markets," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03880110, HAL.
    19. Clément Malgouyres & Thierry Mayer & Clément Mazet-Sonilhac, 2019. "Technology-induced Trade Shocks? Evidence from Broadband Expansion in France," SciencePo Working papers Main halshs-02160268, HAL.
    20. Malgouyres, Clément & Mayer, Thierry & Mazet-Sonilhac, Clément, 2021. "Technology-induced trade shocks? Evidence from broadband expansion in France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    21. Clemence Lenoir & Isabelle Mejean & Julien Martin, 2018. "Search Frictions in International Good Markets," 2018 Meeting Papers 878, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    22. Clément Magouyres & Thierry Mayer & Clément Mazet-Sonilhac, 2019. "Technology-Induced Trade Shocks? Evidence from Broadband Expansion in France," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03393079, HAL.
    23. Malgouyres, Clément & Mayer, Thierry & Mazet-Sonilhac, Clément, 2021. "Technology-induced trade shocks? Evidence from broadband expansion in France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    24. Clémence Lenoir & Julien Martin & Isabelle Mejean, 2022. "Search Frictions in International Goods Markets," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-03812813, HAL.
    25. Sun, Meng, 2021. "The Internet and SME Participation in Exports," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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