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Trade in ideas: outsourcing and knowledge spillovers

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  • Sebastian Benz
  • Mario Larch
  • Markus Zimmer

Abstract

Inspired by the theory of variety-expanding product innovation we derive a testable relationship of outsourcing on the growth rate of knowledge. We estimate this relationship with a firm-level dataset, which is a unique match of PATSTAT patent data and the Amadeus dataset. We find evidence that forward spillovers are stronger than backward spillovers, where forward spillovers are defined as spillovers going down the value chain from producers to users of intermediate inputs. Moreover, we conclude that inter-industry spillovers are stronger than intra-industry spillovers. This holds when considering only the more important forward spillovers as well as when considering both directions of knowledge flows. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Benz & Mario Larch & Markus Zimmer, 2015. "Trade in ideas: outsourcing and knowledge spillovers," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 221-237, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iecepo:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:221-237
    DOI: 10.1007/s10368-014-0271-1
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    3. Victor Kummritz, 2016. "Do Global Value Chains Cause Industrial Development?," CTEI Working Papers series 01-2016, Centre for Trade and Economic Integration, The Graduate Institute.
    4. Nenci, Silvia & Fusacchia, Ilaria & Giunta, Anna & Montalbano, Pierluigi & Pietrobelli, Carlo, 2022. "Mapping global value chain participation and positioning in agriculture and food: stylised facts, empirical evidence and critical issues," Bio-based and Applied Economics Journal, Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA), vol. 11(2), July.
    5. Kailan Tian & Erik Dietzenbacher & Richard Jong‐A‐Pin, 2022. "Global value chain participation and its impact on industrial upgrading," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 1362-1385, May.
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    7. Victor Kummritz, 2015. "Global Value Chains: Benefiting the Domestic Economy?," IHEID Working Papers 02-2015, Economics Section, The Graduate Institute of International Studies.
    8. Monica Laura Zlati & Romeo Victor Ionescu & Valentin Marian Antohi & Veronica Grosu, 2022. "Growth and integration's impact under a new dynamic approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 7057-7092, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Outsourcing; Knowledge spillovers; Patents; C21; F14; O30; O52;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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