Managing Trade: Evidence from China and the US

Nicholas Bloom, Kalina Manova, John van Reenen, Stephen Teng Sun and Zhihong Yu ()

No 24718, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We present a heterogeneous-firm model in which management ability increases both production efficiency and product quality. Combining six micro-datasets on management practices, production and trade in Chinese and American firms, we find broad support for the model's predictions. First, better managed firms are more likely to export, sell more products to more destination countries, and earn higher export revenues and profits. Second, better managed exporters have higher prices, higher quality, and lower quality-adjusted prices. Finally, they also use a wider range of inputs, higher quality and more expensive inputs, and imported inputs from more advanced countries. The structural estimates indicate that management is important for improving production efficiency and product quality in both countries, but it matters more in China than in the US, especially for product quality. Panel analysis for the US and a randomized control trial in India suggest that management exerts causal effects on product quality, production efficiency, and exports. Poor management practices may thus hinder trade and growth, especially in developing countries.

JEL-codes: F0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cna and nep-int
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (18)

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Related works:
Working Paper: MANAGING TRADE: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA AND THE US (2019)
Working Paper: Managing trade: evidence from China and the US (2018)
Working Paper: Managing Trade: Evidence from China and the US (2018)
Working Paper: Managing Trade: Evidence from China and the US (2018)
Working Paper: Managing trade: evidence from China and the US (2018)
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