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Relationship Stickiness, International Trade, and Economic Uncertainty

Author

Listed:
  • Julien Martin

    (UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal = University of Québec in Montréal, CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research)

  • Isabelle Mejean

    (ECON - Département d'économie (Sciences Po) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research)

  • Mathieu Parenti

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, ULB - Université libre de Bruxelles, CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research)

Abstract

We study how stickiness in business relationships influences the trade impact of aggregate uncertainty. To begin, we construct a product-level index of relationship stickiness using firm-to-firm relationship duration data. We then demonstrate how relationship stickiness shapes trade dynamics in response to uncertainty shocks. We find that episodes of uncertainty lead to a decline in the overall establishment of new business relationships, with the impact varying depending on the level of stickiness. In markets characterized by high stickiness, uncertainty shocks primarily impede investments in new firm-to-firm relationships. In contrast, for non-sticky products, the adjustment to uncertainty shocks mainly manifests as the disruption of existing relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Julien Martin & Isabelle Mejean & Mathieu Parenti, 2023. "Relationship Stickiness, International Trade, and Economic Uncertainty," SciencePo Working papers Main hal-04516313, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:spmain:hal-04516313
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01396
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://sciencespo.hal.science/hal-04516313
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthieu Crozet & Banu Demir & Beata Javorcik, 2022. "International Trade and Letters of Credit: A Double-Edged Sword in Times of Crises," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 70(2), pages 185-211, June.
    2. Ciani, Andrea & Mau, Karsten, 2023. "Delivery times in international competition: An empirical investigation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    3. Caroline Freund & Aaditya Mattoo & Alen Mulabdic & Michele Ruta, 2022. "Natural Disasters and the Reshaping of Global Value Chains," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 70(3), pages 590-623, September.
    4. de Lucio, Juan & Díaz-Mora, Carmen & Mínguez, Raúl & Minondo, Asier & Requena, Francisco, 2023. "Do firms react to supply chain disruptions?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 902-916.
    5. Monarch, Ryan & Schmidt-Eisenlohr, Tim, 2023. "Longevity and the value of trade relationships," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    6. Antrà s, Pol & Chor, Davin, 2021. "Global Value Chains," CEPR Discussion Papers 15908, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    7. Kossi Messanh Agbekponou & Ilaria Fusacchia, 2024. "Positioning and bargaining power in agri-food global value chains," Post-Print hal-04666067, HAL.
    8. Kossi Messanh Agbekponou & Ilaria Fusacchia, 2024. "Positioning and bargaining power in agri-food global value chains," Post-Print hal-04666053, HAL.
    9. Gloria Allione & Claire Giordano, 2023. "Are the Happy Few still happy? Exporter heterogeneity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 816, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    10. Cajal-Grossi, Julia & Del Prete, Davide & Macchiavello, Rocco, 2023. "Supply chain disruptions and sourcing strategies," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    11. Rigo, Davide, 2024. "The role of firm-to-firm relationships in exporter dynamics," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121135, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    12. Davide Rigo, 2024. "The role of firm‐to‐firm relationships in exporter dynamics," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 91(362), pages 569-587, April.
    13. Kossi Messanh Agbekponou & Ilaria Fusacchia, 2023. "Global value chains' position and value capture: Firm evidence in agri-food industry," Post-Print hal-04321612, HAL.
    14. Giorgia Giovannetti & Gianluca Santoni & Giulio Vannelli, 2023. "Securing Foreign Markets: Exports, Relational Specificity and New Investment Locations," Working Papers 2023-03, CEPII research center.
    15. Kossi Messanh Agbekponou & Ilaria Fusacchia, 2023. "Global value chains' position and value capture: Firm evidence in agri-food industry," Post-Print hal-04321670, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international trade; economic uncertainty; relationship stickiness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F44 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Business Cycles
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis

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