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Globalization and Multiproduct Firms

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  • Nocke, Volker
  • Yeaple, Stephen

Abstract

We present an international trade model with multiproduct firms. Firms are heterogeneously endowed with two types of capabilities that jointly determine the trade-off within firms between managing a large portfolio of products and producing at low marginal cost. The model can explain many of the documented cross-sectional correlations in firm performance measures, including why larger firms are more productive and more diversified, and yet more diversified firms trade at a discount. Globalization is shown to induce heterogeneous responses across firms in terms of scope and productivity, some of which are consistent with existing empirical work, while others are potentially testable.

Suggested Citation

  • Nocke, Volker & Yeaple, Stephen, 2013. "Globalization and Multiproduct Firms," Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 408, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:trf:wpaper:408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    multiproduct firms; trade liberalization; diversification discount; firm heterogeneity; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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