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The impact of offshoring on innovation and productivity: Evidence from Swedish manufacturing firms

Author

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  • Baum, Christopher F

    (Boston College, DIW Berlin & Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies)

  • Lööf, Hans

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

  • Stephan, Andreas

    (Jönköping University, DIW Berlin & Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies)

  • Viklund-Ros, Ingrid

    (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology)

Abstract

We examine the impact of offshoring on patenting and total factor productivity using a panel of 7,000 mainly small Swedish manufacturing firms over the period 2001-2014. We apply the United Nations Broad Economic Categories (BEC)system to identify offshoring-related intermediate imports. The results show that the link between offshoring on the one hand and innovation and productivity on the other is largely explained by self-selection and reverse causality. We find a positive but statistically weak impact of offshoring on innovation, and no effect on productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Baum, Christopher F & Lööf, Hans & Stephan, Andreas & Viklund-Ros, Ingrid, 2020. "The impact of offshoring on innovation and productivity: Evidence from Swedish manufacturing firms," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 486, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0486
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kaus, Wolfhard & Zimmermann, Markus, 2022. "Offshoring, domestic employment and production: Evidence from the German International Sourcing Survey," IWH Discussion Papers 14/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    offshoring; patent; trademark; innovation; productivity; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • F61 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Microeconomic Impacts
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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