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Trade and Labor Standards in the European Union: A Gravity Model Approach

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Abstract

Using a gravity model, we examine whether labor standards are important determinants of bilateral export performance for EU-15 countries over the period 1988-2001. We assess the conventional wisdom that countries with low labor standards and less stringent regulations have performed better in terms of trade performance and use a panel data set in a triple-indexed gravity model to conduct our empirical investigation. Our empirical results indicate that labor standards matter, but that the conventional wisdom does not always hold. The standard variables used in gravity equations conform to theoretical expectations and are highly significant.

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  • Yiagadeesen Samy & Vivek H. Dehejia, 2008. "Trade and Labor Standards in the European Union: A Gravity Model Approach," Carleton Economic Papers 08-08, Carleton University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:car:carecp:08-08
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    2. Leitão, Nuno Carlos & Tripathi, Sabyasachi, 2013. "Portuguese Trade and European Union: The Gravity Model," MPRA Paper 45994, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Inmaculada Martinez-Zarzoso & Hendrik W. Kruse, 2019. "Are Labour Provisions in Free Trade Agreements Improving Labour Conditions?," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 30(5), pages 975-1003, November.
    4. Haberli, Christian. & Jansen, Marion. & Monteiro, José-Antonio., 2012. "Regional trade agreements and domestic labour market regulation," ILO Working Papers 994700163402676, International Labour Organization.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international trade; labor standards; gravity equation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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