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A simple model of time zone differences, virtual trade and informality

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  • Mandal, Biswajit
  • Prasad, Alaka Shree

Abstract

In this paper we attempt to model virtual trade resulting from time zone differences in an otherwise Heckscher-Ohlin set up which is absent in the literature. So, this paper tries to add some value to the existing stuff on the trade theory and the role of time zones. In doing so, it has been proved that exploitation of time zone difference benefits skilled labor only under reasonable assumption. Contrarily, in output font, time zone difference exploiting sector expands and the other sector contracts irrespective of any factor intensity assumption. The model has been extended to examine how distance may also lead to similar outcomes. In addition, the model is further extended to explore the effect of virtual trade on an economy also endowed with a huge supply of unskilled labor causing the occurrence of informality and associated corruption. Interestingly trade turns out to be beneficial to unskilled workers and lead to a fall in the number of workers engaged in corrupt activities in the economy though the informal sector expands.

Suggested Citation

  • Mandal, Biswajit & Prasad, Alaka Shree, 2018. "A simple model of time zone differences, virtual trade and informality," MPRA Paper 96953, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:96953
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Matsuoka, Yuji & Fukushima, Marcelo, 2010. "Time zones, shift working and international outsourcing," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 769-778, October.
    4. Mandal, Biswajit & Chaudhuri, Saswati, 2010. "Informal Wage, Informal Price and Extortion under Migration and Tariff Reform," MPRA Paper 28704, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Head, Keith & Mayer, Thierry & Ries, John, 2009. "How remote is the offshoring threat?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 429-444, May.
    6. Fink, Carsten & Mattoo, Aaditya & Neagu, Ileana Cristina, 2005. "Assessing the impact of communication costs on international trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 428-445, December.
    7. Noritsugu Nakanishi & Ngo Van Long, 2015. "The Distributional and Allocative Impacts of Virtual Labor Mobility across Time Zones through Communication Networks," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 638-662, August.
    8. Alaka Shree Prasad & Biswajit Mandal & Prasun Bhattacharjee, 2017. "Time Zone Difference, Comparative Advantage And Trade: A Review Of Literature," Eurasian Journal of Economics and Finance, Eurasian Publications, vol. 5(3), pages 1-16.
    9. Kikuchi, Toru & Marjit, Sugata, 2011. "Growth with time zone differences," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 637-640.
    10. Ronald W. Jones, 2018. "The Structure of Simple General Equilibrium Models," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: International Trade Theory and Competitive Models Features, Values, and Criticisms, chapter 4, pages 61-84, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    11. Toru Kikuchi & Sugata Marjit & Biswajit Mandal, 2013. "Trade with Time Zone Differences: Factor Market Implications," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(4), pages 699-711, November.
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    13. Sugata Marjit & Biswajit Mandal, 2017. "Virtual trade between separated time zones and growth," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 13(2), pages 171-183, June.
    14. Marjit, Sugata, 2007. "Trade theory and the role of time zones," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 153-160.
    15. Mandal, Biswajit, 2011. "Would Recessionary Shock Induce More Intermediation in the Informal Sector?," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 26, pages 740-751.
    16. Biswajit Mandal & Sugata Marjit & Noritsugu Nakanishi, 2018. "Outsourcing, factor prices and skill formation in countries with non-overlapping time zones," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 8(2), pages 289-304, August.
    17. Mandal, Biswajit, 2015. "Distance, production, virtual trade and growth: A note," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 9, pages 1-12.
    18. Biswajit Mandal & Sugata Marjit & Hamid Beladi, 2018. "Reform, informal sector, and extortion," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 106-123, March.
    19. Edward Anderson, 2014. "Time differences, communication and trade: longitude matters II," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 150(2), pages 337-369, May.
    20. Marjit, Sugata & Kar, Saibal, 2011. "The Outsiders: Economic Reform and Informal Labour in a Developing Economy," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198071495.
    21. Mandal, Biswajit & Prasad, Alaka Shree & Bhattacharjee, Prasun, 2017. "A Review of Literature on Time Zone Difference and Trade," MPRA Paper 78779, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    22. Head, Keith & Mayer, Thierry & Ries, John, 2009. "How remote is the offshoring threat?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 429-444, May.
    23. Toru Kikuchi, 2006. "Time Zones, Outsourcing and Patterns of International Trade," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 6(15), pages 1-10.
    24. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/10144 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade; Time Zone; Factor Prices; Informality; Corruption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • E26 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Informal Economy; Underground Economy
    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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