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The granularity of Spanish exports

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Lucio

    (Universidad Nebrija)

  • Raúl Mínguez

    (Universidad Nebrija)

  • Asier Minondo

    (University of Deusto
    Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales)

  • Francisco Requena

    (University of Valencia)

Abstract

Using data for all exporters, we show that it is a small group of firms that dominate exports in Spain. For example, in 2015 the top 200 firms were responsible for half of Spanish exports. This concentration has not changed substantially over the 1997–2015 period. The dominance of a few firms, a phenomenon denoted as granularity, also defines the specialization of Spanish exports. If top exporters disappeared, Spain would lose its revealed comparative advantage in 60% of industries, which account for 45% of all Spanish exports. Finally, granularity explains around one-third of the growth in Spanish exports.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Lucio & Raúl Mínguez & Asier Minondo & Francisco Requena, 2017. "The granularity of Spanish exports," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 8(3), pages 225-259, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:series:v:8:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s13209-017-0157-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s13209-017-0157-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Elena L. Andreeva & Dmitriy A. Karkh & Artem V. Ratner, 2020. "A regional dimension of the Russian export: Assessment of spatial and sectoral differentiation," Journal of New Economy, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 21(2), pages 60-75, July.
    2. Asier Minondo, 2017. "Fundamental Versus Granular Comparative Advantage: An Analysis Using Chess Data," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(3), pages 425-455, August.
    3. Juan de Lucio & Raúl Mínguez & Asier Minondo & Francisco Requena, 2017. "The granular and fundamental components of export specialization," Working Papers 1704, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    4. Juan de Lucio & Raúl Mínguez & Asier Minondo & Francisco Requena, 2020. "The contribution of granular and fundamental comparative advantage to European Union countries' export specialisation," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(11), pages 2983-3005, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exports; Granularity; Superstars; Spain; Firm-level data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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