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Market Size, Trade, and Productivity

In: Firms and Workers in a Globalized World Larger Markets, Tougher Competition

Author

Listed:
  • MARC J. MELITZ
  • GIANCARLO I. P. OTTAVIANO

Abstract

We develop a monopolistically competitive model of trade with firm heterogeneity—in terms of productivity differences—and endogenous differences in the “toughness” of competition across markets—in terms of the number and average productivity of competing firms. We analyse how these features vary across markets of different size that are not perfectly integrated through trade; we then study the effects of different trade liberalization policies. In our model, market size and trade affect the toughness of competition, which then feeds back into the selection of heterogeneous producers and exporters in that market. Aggregate productivity and average mark-ups thus respond to both the size of a market and the extent of its integration through trade (larger, more integrated markets exhibit higher productivity and lower mark-ups). Our model remains highly tractable, even when extended to a general framework with multiple asymmetric countries integrated to different extents through asymmetric trade costs. We believe this provides a useful modelling framework that is particularly well suited to the analysis of trade and regional integration policy scenarios in an environment with heterogeneous firms and endogenous mark-ups.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc J. Melitz & Giancarlo I. P. Ottaviano, 2021. "Market Size, Trade, and Productivity," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Firms and Workers in a Globalized World Larger Markets, Tougher Competition, chapter 4, pages 87-108, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789811233395_0004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Allocative Efficiency; Immigration; Inequality; Innovation; International Competition; International Trade; Macroeconomic Effects of Globalization; New Economic Geography; New Trade Theory; Offshoring; Regional Decline; Regional Growth; Territories; Waves of Globalization; Winners and Losers from Globalization; Borders; Creative Destruction; Cultural Diversity; Economic Geography; Economic Growth; Firm Heterogeneity; Firms and Workers; Globalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F6 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization
    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts
    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • F61 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Microeconomic Impacts

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