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Begin New Search Topic Industrial Policy Author J. Bradford Jensen

1. Intra-Firm Trade and Product Contractibility

Author:
J. Bradford Jensen, Andrew B. Bernard, Peter K. Schott, and Stephen J. Redding
Publication Date:
05-2010
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
This paper examines the determinants of intra-firm trade in US imports using detailed country-product data. We create a new measure of product contractibility based on the degree of intermediation in international trade for the product. We find important roles for the interaction of country and product characteristics in determining intra-firm trade shares. Intra-firm trade is high for products with low levels of contractibility sourced from countries with weak governance, for skill-intensive products from skill-scarce countries, and for capital-intensive products from capital-abundant countries.
Topic:
Economics, Industrial Policy, International Trade and Finance, and Markets
Political Geography:
United States

2. Firm Structure, Multinationals, and Manufacturing Plant Deaths

Author:
J. Bradford Jensen and Andrew B. Bernard
Publication Date:
09-2006
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
Plant shutdowns shape industry productivity, the dynamics of employment, and industrial restructuring. Plant closures account for more than half of gross job destruction in US manufacturing. This paper examines the effects of firm structure on US manufacturing plant closures. Plants belonging to multi-plant firms and those owned by US multinationals are less likely to exit. However, the superior survival chances are due to the characteristics of the plants rather than the nature of the firms. Controlling for plant and industry attributes, we find that plants owned by multi-unit firms and US multinationals are much more likely to close.
Topic:
Economics, Human Welfare, and Industrial Policy
Political Geography:
United States

3. Tradable Services: Understanding the Scope and Impact of Services Offshoring

Author:
Lori G. Kletzer and J. Bradford Jensen
Publication Date:
09-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
We develop a new empirical approach to identify tradable service activities. Contrary to conventional views of service activities as nontradable, we find a significant number of service industries and occupations that appear tradable and substantial employment in these tradable activities. Workers employed in tradable service activities differ from those employed in tradable manufacturing and nontradable services. Workers in tradable service activities have higher skill levels and are paid higher wages than manufacturing workers or workers in nontradable service activities. In general, we find little evidence that tradable service activities have lower employment growth than other service activities. However, evidence suggests lower employment growth at the lowest end of the skill distribution. There is also evidence of higher worker displacement rates in tradable services. Workers displaced from tradable service activities are different from displaced manufacturing workers: Displaced tradable service workers have higher skills and higher predisplacement earnings than displaced manufacturing workers.
Topic:
Economics, Human Welfare, Industrial Policy, and International Trade and Finance