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Trade Openness and Vertical Integration: Evidence from the U.S. Manufacturing Sector

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  • Aekapol Chongvilaivan
  • Jung Hur

Abstract

The present article aims to empirically examine a relationship between trade openness and the pattern of vertical integration using the six‐digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) of U.S. manufacturing data from 2002 to 2006. We use the index of vertical integration made out of inter‐plant transfers data by the U.S. Census Bureau, and we consider three proxies of trade openness—import penetration, export shares, and trade penetration. The empirical results substantiate theoretical proposition that trade openness undermines motives for vertical integration.

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  • Aekapol Chongvilaivan & Jung Hur, 2012. "Trade Openness and Vertical Integration: Evidence from the U.S. Manufacturing Sector," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 78(4), pages 1242-1264, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:78:y:2012:i:4:p:1242-1264
    DOI: 10.4284/0038-4038-78.4.1242
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