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Market structure in the Chinese steel industry

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  • Jiandong Ju
  • Li Su

Abstract

Trade in intermediate goods has become a significant feature of the international economy. Nevertheless, questions regarding price negotiation and the determinants of importing firms' profitability remain unanswered. Using firm-level data, we attempt to address these issues in the context of the Chinese steel industry. Despite being the largest producer of steel in the world, the Chinese steel industry has maintained a very low level of profitability. This paper suggests that the low profitability of Chinese steel producers results from the abnormally high degree of market segmentation in China. Using a recently developed econometric method in panel data spatial analysis, we explain the level of geographic fragmentation in the Chinese steel industry. Our results reveal that local steel production depends only on local demand rather than on cross-regional demand. Production is responsive, as a 10% increase in local GDP induces more than 8% increase in local steel production, while the cross-province spill-over demand is insignificant under several reasonable model specifications. Less efficient firms survive because of the segmented market. As a result, Chinese steel producers realize lower profit in the face of high input prices.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiandong Ju & Li Su, 2013. "Market structure in the Chinese steel industry," Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 70-84, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:raaexx:v:20:y:2013:i:1:p:70-84
    DOI: 10.1080/16081625.2013.763201
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Girardin & Konstantin A. Kholodilin, 2009. "Does Accounting for Spatial Effects Help Forecasting the Growth of Chinese Provinces?," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 938, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    2. Yeats, Alexander J., 1998. "Just how big is global production sharing?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1871, The World Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiao Jie Liu & Haiyue Liu & Shi Yi Liu & Jim Huangnan Shen & Chien‐Chiang Lee, 2022. "Profit sharing, industrial upgrading, and global supply chains: Theory and evidence," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 2454-2493, November.
    2. Huangnan (Jim) Shen, 2020. "Profit Sharing, Industrial Upgrading, and Global Supply Chains: Theory and Evidence," Growth Lab Working Papers 151, Harvard's Growth Lab.
    3. Sun, Puyang & Ma, Kewei & Su, Li, 2024. "Import licenses, intermediaries, and price pass-through: Evidence from the Chinese steel market," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).

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