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Trade in services and innovation

Author

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  • Krieger, Bastian
  • Trottner, Fabian

Abstract

We study the implications of services trade for firm innovation. Using a quasi-experimental shift-share design, we find that access to foreign knowledge-related services improves the innovativeness of domestic firms and complements their indigenously sourced R&D. To confront this evidence, we develop a theoretical model. It demonstrates outsourcing can foster firms' innovation efficiency by mitigating decreasing economies of scale in in-house innovation efforts. As a result, firms become more likely to outsource innovation efforts as they become more innovative, whereas the prevalence of offshoring depends on its associated trade costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Krieger, Bastian & Trottner, Fabian, 2024. "Trade in services and innovation," ZEW Discussion Papers 24-056, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:301867
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Krieger, Bastian, 2024. "Enhancing German innovation through international trade in services," ZEW policy briefs 16/2024, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International integration; Service trade; Firm innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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