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Do stronger intellectual property rights lead to more R&D-intensive imports?

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  • Wen Chen

Abstract

There is much evidence that intellectual property rights (IPR) protection stimulates trade flows between countries. Yet less is known whether this effect is stronger for technology-intensive products. Using data for 119 countries over the period 1976–2010, this paper shows that the impact of IPR protection on manufacturing imports is significantly stronger for products with greater technology embodiment, as measured by their R&D intensity. An increase in the level of IPR protection leads to 22 per cent faster increase in the value of imports of products at the 90th percentile of R&D intensity than products at the 10th percentile.

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  • Wen Chen, 2017. "Do stronger intellectual property rights lead to more R&D-intensive imports?," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(7), pages 865-883, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jitecd:v:26:y:2017:i:7:p:865-883
    DOI: 10.1080/09638199.2017.1312493
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    Cited by:

    1. Cédric Durand & Wiliiam Milberg, 2020. "Intellectual monopoly in global value chains," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 404-429, March.
    2. Doanh, Nguyen Khanh & Gam, Nguyen Thi & Heo, Yoon, 2022. "The impact of intellectual property rights protection on trade: The role of a “third country” in market power and market expansion effects," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(1).
    3. Ndubuisi, Gideon & Konte, Maty, 2019. "Credit constraints and trade performance: Does trust-based social capital matter?," MERIT Working Papers 2019-046, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    4. Ridwan Ah Sheikh & Sunil Kanwar, 2022. "Does Host Country Intellectual Property Protection Matter for Technology-Intensive Import Flows?," Working papers 329, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
    5. Cédric Durand & William Milberg, 2018. "Intellectual Monopoly in Global Value Chains [Monopolisation intellectuelle dans les chaines globales de valeur]," CEPN Working Papers hal-01850438, HAL.

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