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Changes in the Diversification of Canadian Manufacturing Firms and Plants (1973-1997): A Move to Specialization

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  • Beckstead, Desmond
  • Caves, Richard
  • Baldwin, John R.

Abstract

This paper studies changes in diversification of firms and plants since the early 1970s in the Canadian manufacturing sector. It finds that there has been a general increase in specialization of both firms and plants. Firms have been continuously reducing the span of industries in which they operate, particularly when the industries are unrelated. Commodity specialization has also occurred at the plant level; however, in contrast to industry specialization, the pace of commodity specialization increased emerged late in the period, around the time of implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States. Plant specialization increased most in those plants that moved most strongly into export markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Beckstead, Desmond & Caves, Richard & Baldwin, John R., 2002. "Changes in the Diversification of Canadian Manufacturing Firms and Plants (1973-1997): A Move to Specialization," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 2002179e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    • Handle: RePEc:stc:stcp3e:2002179e
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    File URL: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/11F0019M2002179
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, W. Mark, 2003. "Overcoming Distance, Overcoming Borders: Comparing North American Regional Trade," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2003008e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    2. Bronwyn Hall & Francesca Lotti & Jacques Mairesse, 2009. "Innovation and productivity in SMEs: empirical evidence for Italy," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 13-33, June.
    3. Warren, Paul, 2005. "Profitability of Canadian- Versus U.S.-controlled Enterprises," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2005030e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    4. John R. Baldwin & W. Mark Brown & Wulong Gu, 2012. "Geographic market access and the effects of trade on length of production run, product diversity and plant scale of Canadian manufacturing plants, 1974--1999," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 12(2), pages 455-484, March.
    5. Marc J. Melitz & Daniel Trefler, 2012. "Gains from Trade When Firms Matter," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 26(2), pages 91-118, Spring.
    6. Baldwin, John R. Beckstead, Desmond Gellatly, Guy, 2005. "Canada's Investments in Science and Innovation: Is the Existing Concept of Research and Development Sufficient?," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2005032e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    7. John Baldwin & Yanling Wang, 2011. "Plant Size, Nationality, and Ownership Change," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 351-380, November.
    8. Lileeva, Alla, 2008. "Trade Liberalization and Productivity Dynamics: Evidence from Canada," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2008051e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    9. Baldwin, John R. Lileeva, Alla, 2008. "Adapting to Import Competition: Effects of Low-wage Trade on Commodity Mix in Canadian Manufacturing Plants," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2008054e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    10. John Baldwin & Wulong Gu, 2009. "The Impact of Trade on Plant Scale, Production-Run Length and Diversification," NBER Chapters, in: Producer Dynamics: New Evidence from Micro Data, pages 557-592, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Gu, Wulong Sawchuk, Gary, 2006. "How Are Canadian Regions Adjusting to a Larger and More Integrated North American Market?," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2006039e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    12. John R. Baldwin & Richard E. Caves & Wulong Gu, 2005. "Responses to Trade Liberalization: Changes in Product Diversification in Foreign- and Domestic-Controlled Plants," Chapters, in: Lorraine Eden & Wendy Dobson (ed.), Governance, Multinationals and Growth, chapter 10, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    13. Dr. Martin Amoah & Alexander Fianko Otchere, 2013. "A Comparative Study on Timber Productivity by Timber Firms in Ghana as Influenced by Ownership," International Journal of Business and Social Research, LAR Center Press, vol. 3(4), pages 50-64, April.

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