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Multi-product firms and misallocation

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  • Wang, Wenya
  • Yang, Ei

Abstract

This paper studies how distortions alter firms’ product decisions. Using two firm-level datasets in China, we find (i) that multi-product (MP) firms are fewer and smaller in China than in the United States and (ii) that the MP probability of a firm is negatively associated with the level of distortion. We build discrete product choices into a heterogeneous firm model à la Melitz (2003) with entry and exit. Firms are subject to a size-dependent distortion that increases in firm-level productivities and product-level tastes. Calibrated to firm-level data moments in the United States and China, the model generates a welfare loss of 30% compared to the distortion-free economy. 24% of the overall loss is from the distorted product margin, while most of the rest is from the static misallocation as in Hsieh and Klenow (2009).

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Wenya & Yang, Ei, 2023. "Multi-product firms and misallocation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:163:y:2023:i:c:s0304387823000573
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103102
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Multi-Product; Fewer-and-Smaller; Distortions; Product Margin; Misallocation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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