The Effects of SPSs and TBTs on Innovation: Evidence from Exporting Firms in Viet Nam

Duc Anh Dang and Vuong Anh Dang
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Duc Anh Dang: National Centre for Socioeconomic Information and Forecast, Viet Nam
Vuong Anh Dang: National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling University of Canberra, Australia
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Duc Anh Dang

No DP-2021-16, Working Papers from Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

Abstract: Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (TBTs) in destination markets may affect firms’ performance. In this paper, we examine how meeting foreign standards affects exporting firms’ innovation, reflected in the product quality, production processes, skills, and technological acquisition. The analysis relies on official regulations on non-tariff measures released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and panel data for manufacturing firms in Viet Nam during 2013–2015. To correct for the potential endogeneity of SPS measures and TBTs and measurement errors, we use the number of SPS measures and TBTs imposed on other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States as an instrument variable. Our results indicate that a higher number of SPS measures and TBTs applied by destination countries increases the probability of Vietnamese exporting firms’ skill acquisition. SPS measures also have higher positive impacts on product quality improvement and skill acquisition in the food processing sector. The SPS measures and TBTs have larger impacts on small firms than large firms. Foreign firms tend to acquire more technology and skills than domestic firms when facing SPS measures and TBTs by importing countries. Higher SPS measures and TBTs have more effects on the probability of acquiring skills by state-owned firms. However, the propensity of product quality and technological acquisition of non-state firms is much higher than that of state-owned firms when facing a greater level of SPS measures and TBTs.

Keywords: trade; non-tariff measures; innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F14 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-06-22
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int, nep-sea and nep-tra
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