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Endogenous Markups, International Trade, and the Product Mix

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  • Carlo Altomonte
  • Alessandro Barattieri

Abstract

We investigate the effects of import penetration on the estimated price–cost margins of more than 28,000 firms operating in the Italian manufacturing sector. In the period considered (1998–2003), we find on average broad evidence of pro-competitive gains from trade. However, when performing the same analysis at a more detailed industry level, we find substantial heterogeneity in the responses: in some industries the increased exposure to international trade is associated with higher, rather than lower, markups, while in others the relationship is not significant. In particular, the industries in which we find a positive impact of import penetration on markups exhibit, on average, a larger variation in the composition of their product-mix. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Altomonte & Alessandro Barattieri, 2015. "Endogenous Markups, International Trade, and the Product Mix," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 205-221, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jincot:v:15:y:2015:i:3:p:205-221
    DOI: 10.1007/s10842-014-0181-5
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    1. Mauro Caselli & Stefano Schiavo, 2020. "Markups, import competition and exporting," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 1309-1326, May.
    2. Lourdes Moreno & Diego Rodríguez, 2011. "Markups, Bargaining Power and Offshoring: An Empirical Assessment-super-1," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(9), pages 1593-1627, September.
    3. André M. Marques, 2022. "Reviewing demand regimes in open economies with Penn World Table data," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 90(6), pages 730-751, December.
    4. Aya Elewa, 2019. "Trade Openness and Domestic Market Share," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 441-463, September.
    5. Matteo Bugamelli & Francesca Lotti & Monica Amici & Emanuela Ciapanna & Fabrizio Colonna & Francesco D�Amuri & Silvia Giacomelli & Andrea Linarello & Francesco Manaresi & Giuliana Palumbo & Filippo , 2018. "Productivity growth in Italy: a tale of a slow-motion change," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 422, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    6. Daniele Curzi & Maria Garrone & Alessandro Olper, 2021. "Import Competition and Firm Markups in the Food Industry," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(4), pages 1433-1453, August.
    7. Carlo Altomonte & Marcella Nicolini & Armando Rungi & Laura Ogliari, 2010. "Assessing the Competitive Behaviour of Firms in the Single Market: A Micro-based Approach," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 409, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Price cost margins; Trade openness; Product mix; F15; L11;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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