|
|
|
|
Title: |
Trade Policy and Productivity Growth in OECD
Manufacturing |
| Author: |
Benjamin,
Nancy; Ferrantino, Michael J. |
| Author
Affiliation: |
World Bank; US
International Trade Commission |
| Source: |
International Economic Journal, Winter 2001, v. 15, no. 4, pp. 95-115 |
|
Publication Date: |
Winter 2001 |
|
Abstract: |
Trade liberalization may promote economic
growth in a number of ways, including by accelerating the rate of
technological change. Firms that face more intense import competition
may be spurred to greater rates of innovation; firms which export may
absorb new technologies through their contact with international
markets. This paper examines evidence on trade policy and productivity
growth for a sample of thirteen OECD countries and including eighteen
manufacturing sectors, using data primarily from the 1980s. Within
individual sectors, there are strong productivity convergence effects
within the OECD. After controlling for convergence, we find a positive
association between high rates of productivity growth and low tariffs,
and between high productivity growth and strong export performance. We
found no particular association between high productivity growth and
import penetration. The results are consistent with the possibility of
positive linkages between trade liberalization and accelerated
productivity growth. |
|
