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Export Decision, the Division of Labor, and Skill Intensity

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  • Shintaku, Koji

Abstract

This paper theoretically investigates how trade affects skill intensity at firm level. In order to analyze this, we develop a model in which firms engages in the division of labor within firms by in putting two types of labor. Unskilled labor is inputted into the production line of the production division and skilled labor is inputted into the production division to conduct the production line. Firms can reduce marginal cost by promoting the division of labor in the production division. Both types of labor are also inputted into head office for domestic market and for export market. These head offices are different in skill intensity. Though all firms are ex-ante identical, the division of labor of exporters is stronger than that of non-exporters on the unique equilibrium. That fixed labor input of headquarter division for export market is more skill intensive than that for domestic market is equivalent to the fact that total labor input of exporters is more skilled intensive than that of non-exporters. Furthermore, all firms reduce the type of labor inputted intensively into head quarter division for the export market while raising the type of labor inputted less intensively into that division.

Suggested Citation

  • Shintaku, Koji, 2015. "Export Decision, the Division of Labor, and Skill Intensity," MPRA Paper 64654, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 25 May 2015.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:64654
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Harrigan & Ariell Reshef, 2015. "Skill-biased heterogeneous firms, trade liberalization and the skill premium," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 48(3), pages 1024-1066, August.
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    5. Shintaku, Koji, 2015. "Change in Fixed Costs and the Division of Labor within Firms through Labor Reallocation," MPRA Paper 62644, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    export decision; division of labor within firms; skill intensity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation

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