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The granularity of Spanish exports

Author

Listed:
  • Juan de Lucio

    (Universidad Nebrija. Calle de Santa Cruz de Marcenado, 27, 28015, Madrid (Spain).)

  • Raúl Mínguez

    (Universidad Nebrija. Calle de Santa Cruz de Marcenado, 27, 28015, Madrid (Spain).)

  • Asier Minondo

    (Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, Camino de Mundaiz 50, 20012 Donostia - San Sebastián (Spain). Research aliate of Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales.)

  • Francisco Requena

    (Department of Economic Structure, University of Valencia, Avda. dels Tarongers s/n, 46022 Valencia (Spain).)

Abstract

Using data for the universe of exporters, we show that few firms dominate exports in Spain. For example, in 2015 half of Spanish exports were accounted by the top 200 firms. This concentration has not changed substantially over the period 1997-2015. The dominance of few firms, a phenomenon denoted as granularity, is larger in exports than in sales or employment. Granularity also defines the specialization of Spanish exports. If top exporters disappeared, Spain would lose revealed comparative advantage in industries accounting for 26% of Spanish exports. Finally, granularity explains around one-third of the fluctuation of Spanish exports.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan de Lucio & Raúl Mínguez & Asier Minondo & Francisco Requena, 2017. "The granularity of Spanish exports," Working Papers 1701, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    • Handle: RePEc:eec:wpaper:1701
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan de Lucio & Raúl Mínguez & Asier Minondo & Francisco Requena, 2017. "The granular and fundamental components of export specialization," Working Papers 1704, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    2. Asier Minondo, 2017. "Fundamental Versus Granular Comparative Advantage: An Analysis Using Chess Data," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(3), pages 425-455, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    exports; granularity; superstars; Spain; firm-level data;

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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