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The product cycle hypothesis: The role of quality upgrading and market size

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  • Ma, Yan

Abstract

We develop a dynamic model in which the timing of innovating firm to relocate the production of a new product from North to South is endogenously determined. The decision of whether to produce in the South involves a trade-off between marginal cost savings from lower wages against a fixed coordination cost. The innovating firm invests in R&D to improve the quality of a new product, which raises the size of the market and the cost savings from producing in the South. We demonstrate that a new product is initially produced in the North and its production location is shifted to the South when its quality is sufficiently improved. We also investigate the interaction between the location of production and the rate of quality improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Yan, 2015. "The product cycle hypothesis: The role of quality upgrading and market size," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 326-336.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:39:y:2015:i:c:p:326-336
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2015.04.014
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    Cited by:

    1. He, Huanlang & Yu, Zhihao, 2018. "Product quality, incomplete contract and the product cycle," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 160-167.
    2. Liu, Ying & Wang, Zhe & Yin, Xiaopeng, 2016. "Economic integration, product cycles and regime effects," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 275-283.
    3. Chen, Sheng-Syan & Lin, Chih-Yen & Tsai, Yun-Ching, 2018. "New product strategies and firm performance: CEO optimism," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 37-53.
    4. Jannett Highfill & Michael McAsey, 2018. "Product Reliability, R&D, and Manufacturing Cost Shocks," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 46(1), pages 27-42, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Product cycle; Quality improvement; Coordination cost; Market penetration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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