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Real Exchange Rate Volatility and Imports of Intermediate Inputs: A Microeconometric Analysis of Manufacturing Plants

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  • Ricardo A. López
  • Huong D. Nguyen

Abstract

This paper uses plant-level data from the manufacturing sector of Chile for the period 1995–2007 to examine the effect of real exchange rate (RER) volatility on imports of intermediate inputs at the micro level. Using input–output tables, we construct sector-level RERs relevant for input import decisions and find that increases in the RER and its volatility reduce the fraction of imported intermediate inputs used by plants, while plants' probability of importing is not affected. Thus, fluctuations in the RER affect the intensive margin of imports (the amount of inputs imported) but not the extensive margin (the decision to import).

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo A. López & Huong D. Nguyen, 2015. "Real Exchange Rate Volatility and Imports of Intermediate Inputs: A Microeconometric Analysis of Manufacturing Plants," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(5), pages 972-995, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:reviec:v:23:y:2015:i:5:p:972-995
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    3. Michał Brzozowski & Grzegorz Tchorek, 2017. "Exchange Rate Risk as an Obstacle to Export Activity," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 3, pages 115-141.
    4. Miao, Zhuang & Li, Yifan, 2017. "Trade Scopes across Destinations: Evidence from Chinese Firm," MPRA Paper 80863, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 15 Aug 2017.
    5. Ngo Van Long & Yifan Li & Zhuang Miao, 2020. "Effects of Exchange Rate Volatility on Export Diversity: The Role of Production Constraints," CIRANO Working Papers 2020s-41, CIRANO.
    6. Li, Yifan & Miao, Zhuang, 2019. "Effect of Exchange Rate Volatility on Imports: Evidences from Chinese Firms," MPRA Paper 95088, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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