Regulatory harmonization, profits, and productivity: Firm-level evidence from Morocco

Olivier Cadot, Patricia Augier and Marion Dovis ()

No 11799, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper combines a new database on non-tariff measures (NTMs) with Morocco’s firm census to explore the effect of regulatory harmonization with the E.U. on firm-level outcomes. Exploiting cross-sectoral variation in the timing and extent of regulatory harmonization, we find that harmonization waves correlate with rises in labor productivity and with higher markups, allowing self-financing of the adaptation process at the firm level. We identify an induced market-structure change that made the observed rise in markups possible. Namely, harmonization temporarily sheltered the Moroccan market from competition from low-end producers in other developing countries, who took time to adapt. We identified this effect through changes in both trade patterns and firm-level outcomes. Thus, harmonization apparently generated a self-financing adaptation process by affecting both firm-level incentives and market structure.

Keywords: Morocco; Trade; Non-tariff measures; Firms; Harmonization; Profit; Productivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara, nep-bec and nep-eff
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Regulatory harmonization, profits, and productivity: Firm-level evidence from Morocco (2016)
Working Paper: Regulatory harmonization, profits, and productivity: Firm-level evidence from Morocco (2016)
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