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Chaebols and firm dynamics in Korea

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  • Guriev, Sergei
  • Aghion, Philippe
  • Jo, Kangchul

Abstract

We study firm dynamics in Korea before and after the 1997-98 Asian crisis and pro-competitive reforms that reduced the dominance of chaebols. We find that in industries that were dominated by chaebols before the crisis, labor productivity and TFP of non-chaebol firms increased markedly after the reforms (relative to other industries). Furthermore, entry of non-chaebol firms increased significantly in all industries after the reform. Finally, after the crisis, the non-chaebol firms also significantly increased their patenting activity (relative to non-chaebol firms). These results are in line with a neo-Schumpeterian view of transition from a growth model based on investment in existing technologies to an innovation-based model.

Suggested Citation

  • Guriev, Sergei & Aghion, Philippe & Jo, Kangchul, 2019. "Chaebols and firm dynamics in Korea," CEPR Discussion Papers 13825, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13825
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Schumpeterian growth; Chaebols; Asian crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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