What is 'firm heterogeneity' in trade models? The role of quality, scope, markups and cost

Hottman, Colin, Redding, Stephen and Weinstein, David E. (2014) What is 'firm heterogeneity' in trade models? The role of quality, scope, markups and cost. CEP Discussion Papers (CEPDP1294). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (516kB) | Preview

• Publisher

Abstract

We estimate a structural model of heterogeneous multiproduct firms to examine the sources of firm heterogeneity emphasized in the recent trade and macro literatures. Using Nielsen barcode data on prices and sales, we estimate elasticities of substitution within and between firms, and use the estimated model to recover unobserved qualities, marginal costs and markups. We find that variation in firm quality and product scope explains at least four fifths of the variation in firm sales. Most firms are well approximated by the monopolistic competition benchmark of constant markups, but the largest firms that account for most of aggregate sales depart substantially from this benchmark. Although the output of multiproduct firms is differentiated, cannibalization is quantitatively important for the largest firms. This imperfect substitutability of products within firms, and the fact that larger firms supply more products than smaller firms, implies that standard productivity measures are not independent of demand system assumptions and probably dramatically understate the relative productivity of the largest firms.

Item Type:	Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL:	http://cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/publications/series.asp?...
Additional Information:	© 2014 The Authors
Divisions:	Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
JEL classification:	L - Industrial Organization > L1 - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance > L11 - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L21 - Business Objectives of the Firm L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L25 - Firm Performance: Size, Diversification and Scope, Age, Profit, and Sales L - Industrial Organization > L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing > L60 - General
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2014 16:42
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 23:33
Funders:	Economic and Social Research Council
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/60448

Actions (login required)

View Item