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Firm Heterogeneity and FDI in Distribution Services

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  • Kiyoyasu Tanaka

Abstract

Distribution services play a large role in intermediating production and consumption across borders. Using firm-level data on Japanese multinationals in the wholesale and retail sectors, this paper examines foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions of distribution firms for local distribution services at the extensive and intensive margin. Consistent with the model of heterogeneous firms on multinational production, productive multinationals are more likely than less productive ones to enter a larger number of markets, penetrate less attractive markets, and generate larger sales per market. While these findings are consistent with previous evidence on manufacturing multinationals, there are some distinctive determinants of FDI in distribution services.
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  • Kiyoyasu Tanaka, 2015. "Firm Heterogeneity and FDI in Distribution Services," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(8), pages 1295-1311, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:38:y:2015:i:8:p:1295-1311
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    2. José C. Fariñas & Ana Martín-Marcos & Francisco J. Velázquez, 2021. "The Geographical Scope of Multinational Firms and Heterogeneity," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 761-788, September.
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    4. ITO Yukiko, 2015. "Are There Trade-offs between the Existing and New Foreign Activities?," Discussion papers 15101, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    5. Rouzet, Dorothée & Benz, Sebastian & Spinelli, Francesca, 2017. "Trading Firms and Trading Costs in Services: Firm-Level Analysis," Conference papers 332911, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    6. Sebastian Benz & Dorothée Rouzet & Francesca Spinelli, 2020. "Firm heterogeneity in services trade: Micro‐level evidence from eight OECD countries," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(11), pages 2905-2931, November.
    7. Tian, Wei, 2024. "Exchange rate, distribution, and outward direct investment," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    8. Mainer-Casado, Carolina & Fariñas, José Carlos & Moreno, Lourdes, 2018. "The Scope, Scale and Locational Preferences of Spanish Multinationals," MPRA Paper 85766, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Fariñas, José C. & Martín-Marcos, Ana & Velázquez, Francisco J., 2019. "Estimating the Scope Elasticity of Multinational Firms: An Empirical Assessment," MPRA Paper 94990, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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