Can firms' location decisions counteract the Balassa-Samuelson effect?

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of International Economics
Year: 2008
Volume: 76
Issue: 2
Pages: 139-154

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of relative prices in a model combining a Harrod-Balassa-Samuelson (HBS) mechanism and an endogenous location of traded good producers. Besides the standard HBS effect, asymmetric productivity improvements in the traded good sector push new firms to enter the market. This benefits local consumers who save on trade costs and exerts an upward pressure on relative wages. As a consequence, relative prices in the traded good sector either increase or fall in general equilibrium. In a panel cointegration framework, the wage effect is shown to dominate. This means the HBS effect is strengthened by the relocation of traded good producers.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:inecon:v:76:y:2008:i:2:p:139-154
Journal Field
International
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26