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Multinational Expansion in Time and Space

Author

Listed:
  • Stefania Garetto

    (BU, CEPR, and NBER)

  • Lindsay Oldenski

    (Georgetown University)

  • Natalia Ramondo

    (UCSD and NBER)

Abstract

This paper studies the expansion patterns of the multinational enterprise (MNE) in time and space. Using a long panel of US MNEs, we document that: MNE affiliates grow by exporting to new markets; the activities of MNE affiliates persist during the affiliate’s life, usually starting with sales to their host market and eventually expanding to export markets; and MNE affiliates’ entry into new locations does not depend on the location of preexisting affiliates. Informed by these facts, we develop a multi-country quantitative dynamic model of the MNE that features heterogeneity in firm-level productivity, persistent aggregate shocks, and a rich structure of costs that affect MNE expansion. Importantly, MNE affiliates can decouple their locations of production and sales, and endogenously choose to enter or exit the host and the export markets. We introduce a compound option formulation that allows us to capture in a tractable way the rich heterogeneity that is observed in the data and that is necessary for quantitative analysis. Using the calibrated model, our quantitative application to Brexit reveals that export platforms are important for understanding the reallocation of MNE activity in time and space, and that the nature of the frictions to MNE activities matters for aggregate firm dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Garetto & Lindsay Oldenski & Natalia Ramondo, 2019. "Multinational Expansion in Time and Space," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-308, Boston University - Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:bos:iedwpr:dp-308
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    Cited by:

    1. Dan Cao & Erick Sager & Henry Hyatt & Toshihiko Mukoyama, 2019. "Firm Growth through New Establishments," 2019 Meeting Papers 1484, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    2. Jerónimo Carballo & Ignacio Marra de Artiñano & Christian Volpe Martincus, 2021. "Information Frictions, Investment Promotion, and Multinational Production: Firm-Level Evidence," CESifo Working Paper Series 9043, CESifo.
    3. Teresa C. Fort, 2023. "The Changing Firm and Country Boundaries of US Manufacturers in Global Value Chains," Working Papers 23-38, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    4. Chen, Cheng & Sun, Chang & Zhang, Hongyong, 2022. "Learning and information transmission within multinational corporations," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    5. Brian McCaig & Nina Pavcnik & Woan Foong Wong, 2022. "FDI Inflows and Domestic Firms: Adjustments to New Export Opportunities," NBER Working Papers 30729, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Luo, Changyuan & Si, Chunxiao & Zhang, Hongyong, 2022. "Moving out of China? Evidence from Japanese multinational firms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    7. Hassan, Tarek & Hollander, Stephan & van Lent, Laurence & Tahoun, Ahmed, 2019. "The Global Impact of Brexit Uncertainty," CEPR Discussion Papers 14253, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Ziran Ding, 2022. "Firm heterogeneity, variable markups, and multinational production: A review from trade policy perspective," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(5), pages 1311-1357, December.
    9. Tarek Alexander Hassan & Stephan Hollander & Laurence van Lent & Ahmed Tahoun, 2020. "The Global Impact of Brexit Uncertainty," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-332, Boston University - Department of Economics.
    10. Monika Sztajerowska, 2021. "International Investment Agreements, Double-Taxation Treaties and Multinational Activity: The (Heterogeneous) Effects of Binding," PSE Working Papers halshs-03265057, HAL.
    11. Pol Antràs & Evgenii Fadeev & Teresa C. Fort & Felix Tintelnot, 2022. "Global Sourcing and Multinational Activity: A Unified Approach," Working Papers 22-36, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    12. Monika Sztajerowska, 2021. "International Investment Agreements, Double-Taxation Treaties and Multinational Activity: The (Heterogeneous) Effects of Binding," Working Papers halshs-03265057, HAL.
    13. Sebastian Dyrda & Guangbin Hong & Joseph B Steinberg, 2022. "A Macroeconomic Perspective on Taxing Multinational Enterprises," Working Papers tecipa-731, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    14. Jean‐Charles Bricongne & Sebastian Franco Bedoya & Margarita Lopez Forero, 2023. "The proximity‐concentration trade‐off with multi‐product firms: Are exports and FDI complements or substitutes?," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(5), pages 1264-1289, May.

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    Keywords

    Economic Growth; Innovation; Credit Constraints; Convergence; Policy Analysis; Money; Inflation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O23 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • O42 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Monetary Growth Models

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