International trade without CES: Estimating translog gravity

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of International Economics
Year: 2013
Volume: 89
Issue: 2
Pages: 271-282

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 derives a micro-founded gravity equation based on a translog demand system that allows for flexible substitution patterns across goods. In contrast to the standard CES-based gravity equation, translog gravity generates an endogenous trade cost elasticity. Trade is more sensitive to trade costs if the exporting country only provides a small share of the destination country's imports. As a result, trade costs have a heterogeneous impact across country pairs, with some trade flows predicted to be zero. I test the translog gravity equation and find empirical evidence that is in many ways consistent with its predictions.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:inecon:v:89:y:2013:i:2:p:271-282
Journal Field
International
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26