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Does the Use of Imported Intermediates Increase Productivity? Plant-Level Evidence

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  • Joel Rodrigue
  • Hiroyuki Kasahara

Abstract

This paper examines whether importing intermediate goods improves plant performance. While addressing the issue of simultaneity of a productivity shock and decisions to import intermediates, we estimate the impact of the use of foreign intermediates on plants' productivity using plant-level Chilean manufacturing panel data. We found that the switching from being a non-importer to being an importer of foreign intermediates can improve productivity by 3.4 to 22.5 percent

Suggested Citation

  • Joel Rodrigue & Hiroyuki Kasahara, 2004. "Does the Use of Imported Intermediates Increase Productivity? Plant-Level Evidence," Econometric Society 2004 North American Summer Meetings 511, Econometric Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:nasm04:511
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    productivity; imported intermediates; plant-level;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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