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Does Import Competition Induce R&D Reallocation? Evidence from the U.S

Author

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  • Rui Xu
  • Kaiji Gong

Abstract

We analyze the impact of rising import competition from China on U.S. innovative activities. Using Compustat data, we find that import competition induces R&D expenditures to be reallocated towards more productive and more profitable firms within each industry. Such reallocation effect has the potential to offset the average drop in firm-level R&D identified in the previous literature. Indeed, our quantitative analysis shows no adverse impact of import competition on aggregate R&D expenditures. Taking the analysis beyond manufacturing, we find that import competition has led to reallocation of researchers towards booming service industries, including business and repairs, personal services, and financial services.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Xu & Kaiji Gong, 2017. "Does Import Competition Induce R&D Reallocation? Evidence from the U.S," IMF Working Papers 2017/253, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2017/253
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Autor & David Dorn & Gordon H. Hanson & Gary Pisano & Pian Shu, 2020. "Foreign Competition and Domestic Innovation: Evidence from US Patents," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 2(3), pages 357-374, September.
    2. Andreas Teichgraeber & John Van Reenen, 2022. "A policy toolkit to increase research and innovation in the European Union," POID Working Papers 025, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    3. Yang, Mu-Jeung & Li, Nicholas & Lorenz, Kueng, 2021. "The impact of emerging market competition on innovation and business strategy: Evidence from Canada," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 117-134.
    4. Douglas L. Campbell & Karsten Mau, 2019. "Trade Induced Technological Change: Did Chinese Competition Increase Innovation in Europe?," Working Papers w0252, New Economic School (NES).
    5. Chen, Cheng & Steinwender, Claudia, 2021. "Import competition, heterogeneous preferences of managers, and productivity," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    6. Gu, Grace & Malik, Samreen & Pozzoli, Dario & Rocha, Vera, 2024. "Worker reallocation, firm innovation, and Chinese import competition," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    7. Ruiyang Hu & Chen Yin & Zhijie Zheng & Sili Zhou, 2024. "Unlocking Innovation: The Impact of Free Trade Zones on Corporate Innovation in China," Working Papers 202414, University of Macau, Faculty of Business Administration.
    8. Christian Reiner & Maximilian Benner, 2022. "Cooperation bias in regional policy: Is competition neglected?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 69(1), pages 187-221, August.
    9. Douglas L. Campbell & Karsten Mau, 2020. "Trade Induced Technological Change: Did Chinese Competition Really Increase European Innovation?," Working Papers w0262, New Economic School (NES).
    10. D’Agostino, Lorena M. & Schiavo, Stefano, 2024. "Using trademarks to fend off import competition: Evidence from the top R&D-spending companies," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1).

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