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Pro-competitive effect, division of labor, and firm productivity

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  • Kamei, Keita

Abstract

This study constructs a general oligopolistic equilibrium model in which Smith’s (1776) famous theory of the division of labor under vertical specialization is embedded. We demonstrate that a pro-competitive government policy weakens the division of labor and hence reduces firm productivity, total output, and aggregate welfare. In addition, the policy promotes an increase in workers’ welfare and a decrease in firm owners’ welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamei, Keita, 2014. "Pro-competitive effect, division of labor, and firm productivity," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 124(1), pages 132-135.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:124:y:2014:i:1:p:132-135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2014.05.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chaney, Thomas & Ossa, Ralph, 2013. "Market size, division of labor, and firm productivity," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 177-180.
    2. Krugman, Paul, 1980. "Scale Economies, Product Differentiation, and the Pattern of Trade," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(5), pages 950-959, December.
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    4. Krugman, Paul R., 1979. "Increasing returns, monopolistic competition, and international trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(4), pages 469-479, November.
    5. Kamei, Keita, 2013. "Trade Liberalization, Division of Labor, and Firm Productivity," MPRA Paper 50301, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. J. Peter Neary, 2002. "The road less travelled : oligopoly and competition policy in general equilibrium," Working Papers 200222, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    7. Avinash K. Dixit & Gene M. Grossman, 1982. "Trade and Protection with Multistage Production," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 49(4), pages 583-594.
    8. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/312fvs95ub8ct80ng4em8fjifb is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Ethier, Wilfred J, 1982. "National and International Returns to Scale in the Modern Theory of International Trade," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 72(3), pages 389-405, June.
    10. Paulo Bastos & Udo Kreickemeier, 2017. "Unions, Competition, and International Trade in General Equilibrium," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: International Trade and Labor Markets Welfare, Inequality and Unemployment, chapter 6, pages 143-172, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Rudy Colacicco, 2015. "Ten Years Of General Oligopolistic Equilibrium: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 965-992, December.
    3. Kenji Fujiwara & Keita Kamei, 2016. "Competition Policy at the Intensive and Extensive Margins in General Equilibrium," KIER Working Papers 954, Kyoto University, Institute of Economic Research.
    4. Kamei, Keita, 2014. "International Trade, Unemployment, and Firm Owners in a General Equilibrium with Oligopoly," MPRA Paper 59388, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Shintaku, Koji, 2015. "Change in Fixed Costs and the Division of Labor within Firms through Labor Reallocation," MPRA Paper 62644, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Kenji Fujiwara, 2018. "Trade, Productivity and Welfare when Monopolistic Competition and Oligopoly Coexist," Discussion Paper Series 170, School of Economics, Kwansei Gakuin University, revised Jan 2018.

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    JEL classification:

    • L16 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Industrial Organization and Macroeconomics; Macroeconomic Industrial Structure

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