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Market Size, Competition, and the Product Mix of Exporters

Author

Listed:
  • Thierry Mayer
  • Marc J. Melitz
  • Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano

Abstract

We build a theoretical model of multi-product firms that highlights how competition across market destinations affects both a firm's exported product range and product mix. We show how tougher competition in an export market induces a firm to skew its export sales toward its best performing products. We find very strong confirmation of this competitive effect for French exporters across export market destinations. Theoretically, this within-firm change in product mix driven by the trading environment has important repercussions on firm productivity. A calibrated fit to our theoretical model reveals that these productivity effects are potentially quite large.

Suggested Citation

  • Thierry Mayer & Marc J. Melitz & Gianmarco I. P. Ottaviano, 2014. "Market Size, Competition, and the Product Mix of Exporters," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(2), pages 495-536, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:2:p:495-536
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.104.2.495
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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