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Globalization, product differentiation, and wage inequality

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  • Paulo Bastos
  • Odd Rune Straume

Abstract

This paper develops a two-country, general equilibrium model of oligopoly in which the degree of horizontal product differentiation is endogenously determined by firms' strategic investments in product innovation. Consumers seek variety and product innovation is more skill intensive than production. Stronger import competition increases innovation incentives, and thereby the relative demand for skill. An intra-industry trade expansion following trade liberalization can therefore increase wage inequality between skilled and unskilled workers. As long as some industries remain shielded from international competition, the welfare implications of globalization are found to be generally ambiguous.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulo Bastos & Odd Rune Straume, 2012. "Globalization, product differentiation, and wage inequality," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 45(3), pages 857-878, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:45:y:2012:i:3:p:857-878
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5982.2012.01718.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Amal Hili & Rim Lahmandi-Ayed & Hejer Lasram, 2016. "Differentiation, labor market and globalization," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 809-833, September.
    2. Colacicco, Rudy, 2021. "Environment, imperfect competition, and trade: Insights for optimal policy in general equilibrium," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(2), pages 144-151.
    3. Andrés Camacho Murillo, 2013. "Desigualdad industrial: una aproximación no-paramétrica al caso colombiano," Revista CIFE, Universidad Santo Tomás.
    4. Feng, Xiaohua, 2018. "Effect of intra-industry trade on skill premium in manufacturing in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 206-218.
    5. Kenji Fujiwara & Keita Kamei, 2018. "Trade liberalization, division of labor and welfare under oligopoly," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 91-101, January.
    6. Rudy Colacicco, 2015. "Ten Years Of General Oligopolistic Equilibrium: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 965-992, December.
    7. Aaheli Ahmed & Sugata Marjit & Debashis Chakraborty, 2025. "Tariff, Wages and Compensation: A General Oligopolistic Equilibrium Analysis," CESifo Working Paper Series 11707, CESifo.
    8. Wrona, Jens & Kreickemeier, Udo, 2016. "Industrialisation and the Big Push in a Global Economy," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145707, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    9. Udo Kreickemeier & Frode Meland, 2017. "Non-Traded Goods, Globalization, and Union Influence," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: International Trade and Labor Markets Welfare, Inequality and Unemployment, chapter 7, pages 173-201, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    10. Dutta, Meghna & Kar, Saibal & Marjit, Sugata, 2013. "Product variety, finite changes and wage inequality," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 610-613.
    11. Udo Kreickemeier & Frode Meland, 2011. "International Trade, Union Wage Premia, and Welfare in General Equilibrium," CESifo Working Paper Series 3407, CESifo.
    12. Yu, Liping & Duan, Yunlong & Fan, Tianting, 2020. "Innovation performance of new products in China's high-technology industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 204-215.
    13. Brander, James A. & Spencer, Barbara J., 2015. "Intra-industry trade with Bertrand and Cournot oligopoly: The role of endogenous horizontal product differentiation," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 157-165.
    14. Fujiwara, Kenji, 2017. "Trade and FDI liberalization in a general oligopolistic equilibrium," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 45-49.
    15. Colacicco, Rudy, 2012. "Strategic Trade Policy in General Oligopolistic Equilibrium," MPRA Paper 38118, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Rudy Colacicco, 2013. "Strategic Trade Policy in General Oligopolistic Equilibrium," FIW Working Paper series 126, FIW.
    17. Colacicco, Rudy, 2012. "The "Average" Within-Sector Firm Heterogeneity in General Oligopolistic Equilibrium," MPRA Paper 40212, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Atif, Syed Muhammad, 2012. "Critical Review of 'A Simple Model of Firm Heterogeneity, International Trade and Wages'," MPRA Paper 42334, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    19. Onur A. Koska, 2020. "Sourcing product quality for foreign market entry," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 156(3), pages 669-702, August.
    20. Hirofumi OKOSHI, 2021. "Innovation for Tax Avoidance: Product Differentiation and the Arm's Length Principle," Discussion papers 21038, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    21. Charles M. Beach, 2016. "Changing income inequality: A distributional paradigm for Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(4), pages 1229-1292, November.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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