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The Impact of Trade Liberalization on Employment, Capital, and Productivity Dynamics: Evidence from the Uruguayan Manufacturing Sector

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  • Carlos Casacuberta
  • Gabriela Fachola
  • Nestor Gandelman

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of trade liberalization on labor and capital gross flows and productivity in the Uruguayan manufacturing sector. Uruguay opened its economy in the presence of -at least initially- strong unions and structurally different industry concentration levels. Higher international exposure implied slightly higher job creation and an important increase in job and capital destruction. Unions were able to dampen this effect. Although not associated with higher creation rates, unions were effective in reducing job and capital destruction. Industry concentration also was found to mitigate the destruction of jobs but had no effect on job creation or capital dynamics. The changes in the use of labor and capital were accompanied by an increase in total factor productivity, especially in sectors where tariff reductions were larger and unions were not present. The authors found no evidence of varying productivity dynamics across different industry concentration levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Casacuberta & Gabriela Fachola & Nestor Gandelman, 2004. "The Impact of Trade Liberalization on Employment, Capital, and Productivity Dynamics: Evidence from the Uruguayan Manufacturing Sector," Research Department Publications 3170, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:wpaper:3170
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    Cited by:

    1. Héctor Salgado Banda & Lorenzo Bernal Verdugo, 2011. "Multifactor productivity and its determinants: an empirical analysis for Mexican manufacturing," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 293-308, December.
    2. Carlos Casacuberta & Néstor Gandelman, 2015. "Productivity, Exit, and Crisis in the Manufacturing and Service Sectors," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 53(1), pages 27-43, March.
    3. Haltiwanger, John & Kugler, Adriana & Kugler, Maurice & Micco, Alejandro & Pagés, Carmen, 2004. "Effects of tariffs and real exchange rates on job reallocation: evidence from Latin America," Discussion Paper Series In Economics And Econometrics 0410, Economics Division, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
    4. Castro, Lucio & Saslavsky, Daniel, 2008. "Trade with China and India and Manufacturing Labour Demand in Argentina," WIDER Working Paper Series 108, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    5. Carlos Casacuberta & Dayna Zaclicever, 2015. "The Effect of Trade Protection on Productivity in Uruguay," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 0215, Department of Economics - dECON.
    6. Carlos Casacuberta & Néstor Gandelman, 2012. "Protection, Openness, and Factor Adjustment: Evidence from the Manufacturing Sector in Uruguay," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 60(3), pages 597-629.
    7. Mitra, Arup., 2013. "Can industry be the key to pro-poor growth? : An exploratory analysis for India," ILO Working Papers 994843463402676, International Labour Organization.
    8. Xavier Cirera & Dirk Willenbockel & Rajith W.D. Lakshman, 2014. "Evidence On The Impact Of Tariff Reductions On Employment In Developing Countries: A Systematic Review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 449-471, July.
    9. Ligia Melo & Carlos Ballesteros, 2014. "The impact of external factors on job creation and destruction in the Colombian manufacturing sector," Lecturas de Economía, Universidad de Antioquia, Departamento de Economía, issue 81, pages 155-186, Julio - D.
    10. repec:ilo:ilowps:484346 is not listed on IDEAS

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