Technology and Trade: An Analysis of Technology Specialization and Export Flows

Olof Ejermo () and Martin Andersson ()

No 2006-05, CIRCLE Electronic Working Paper Series from CIRCLE (Centre for Innovation, Research and Competence in the Learning Economy), Lund University

Abstract: This paper examines how technology specialization, measured by citations-weighted patents, affects trade flows. The paper analyzes (i) the relationship between technology specialization and export specialization across regions and (ii) how the technology specialization of origin and destination affect the size and structure of link-specific export flows. We find that the export specialization of a region typically corresponds to the regions technology specialization, which supports the view that comparative advantages can be created by investments in technology and knowledge. Export flows from regions to destination countries with similar technology specialization as the origin regions consist of commodities of higher quality in the specific technology, as indicated by higher prices. Highly specialized regions export more and charge higher prices. The results of the paper suggest that an understanding of trade ultimately requires an understanding of the spatial pattern of investments in (and creation of) technology and knowledge, as such investments shape export specialization patterns and the corresponding composition of export flows between locations across space.

JEL-codes: O31 O32 O33 O34 O38 N5 O47 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006

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Working Paper: Technology and Trade - an analysis of technology specialization and export flows (2006)
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