Contract Enforcement, Comparative Advantage and Long-Run Growth

Gianmarco Ottaviano

No 6419, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The effects of the quality of institutions on economic development and comparative advantage have been so far investigated separately. This paper proposes a theoretical framework in which trade patterns and growth rates are jointly determined by international differences in contract enforcement that affect firms' organizational decisions. In a two-country dynamic Ricardian model with endogenous innovation and hold-up problems, the value chain consists of two activities, innovation and production. Entry in the market happens through R&D and entrants face two decisions. The 'location decision' determines where to place R&D laboratories and production plants. Through the 'ownership decision' firms choose whether to perform innovation and production within the same vertically integrated structure or not. In this framework, the quality of contract enforcement drives the ownership decision, which affects R&D returns, research intensity and growth. Balance of payments adjustments cause movements in relative wages, which affect the location decision and, therefore, the pattern of sectoral specialization and international trade.

Keywords: Economic growth; Incomplete contracts; Innovation; Theory of the firm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D23 F10 L23 O30 O40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse and nep-dev
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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