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The Connection between Imported Intermediate Inputs and Exports: Evidence from Chinese Firms

Author

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  • Ling Feng
  • Zhiyuan Li
  • Deborah L. Swenson
Abstract
We use data on Chinese manufacturing firms to study the connection between individual firm imports and firm export outcomes. Since our panel covers the years 2002 to 2006, we can use changes in import tariffs associated with China's WTO entry as instruments. Our regression results show that firms that expanded their intermediate input imports expanded the volume of their exports and increased their export scope, though the magnitude of the effects differed by import source, firm organizational form, and industry R&D intensity. On these dimensions, we find that imported intermediate inputs from OECD rather than non-OECD countries generated larger firm export improvements, that private Chinese firms derived larger benefits from imported inputs than did foreign invested firms, and that imported intermediates were especially helpful in expanding the exports of firms operating in high R&D intensity industries. Taken together, these results suggest that product upgrading facilitated by technology or quality embedded in imported inputs helped Chinese firms to increase the scale and breadth of their participation in export markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Feng & Zhiyuan Li & Deborah L. Swenson, 2012. "The Connection between Imported Intermediate Inputs and Exports: Evidence from Chinese Firms," NBER Working Papers 18260, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18260
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    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange

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