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How firms export: processing vs. ordinary trade with financial frictions

Manova, Kalina and Yu, Zhihong (2015) How firms export: processing vs. ordinary trade with financial frictions. CEP Discussion Paper (1377). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

The fragmentation of production across borders allows firms to make and export final goods, or to perform only intermediate stages of production by processing imported inputs for re-exporting. We examine how financial frictions affect companies’ choice between processing and ordinary trade – implicitly a choice of production technology and position in global supply chains – and how this decision affects performance. We exploit matched customs and balance-sheet data from China, where exports are classified as ordinary trade, import-and-assembly processing trade (processing firm sources and pays for imported inputs), and pure-assembly processing trade (processing firm receives foreign inputs for free). Value added, profits and profitability rise from pure assembly to processing with imports to ordinary trade. However, more profitable trade regimes require more working capital because they entail higher up-front costs. As a result, credit constraints induce firms to conduct more processing trade and pure assembly in particular, and preclude them from pursuing higher value-added, more profitable activities. Financial market imperfections thus impact the organization of production across firms and countries, and inform optimal trade and development policy in the presence of global production networks.

Item Type: Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/
Additional Information: © 2015 The Authors
Divisions: Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
JEL classification: F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F10 - General
F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F13 - Commercial Policy; Protection; Promotion; Trade Negotiations; International Trade Organizations
F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F14 - Country and Industry Studies of Trade
F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F23 - Multinational Firms; International Business
F - International Economics > F3 - International Finance > F34 - International Lending and Debt Problems
G - Financial Economics > G3 - Corporate Finance and Governance > G32 - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure
Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2016 14:20
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 23:37
Funders: Economic and Social Research Council
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/64980

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