Input Specificity and the Propagation of Idiosyncratic Shocks in Production Networks

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 131
Issue: 3
Pages: 1543-1592

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

This article examines whether firm-level idiosyncratic shocks propagate in production networks. We identify idiosyncratic shocks with the occurrence of natural disasters. We find that affected suppliers impose substantial output losses on their customers, especially when they produce specific inputs. These output losses translate into significant market value losses, and they spill over to other suppliers. Our point estimates are economically large, suggesting that input specificity is an important determinant of the propagation of idiosyncratic shocks in the economy. JEL Codes: L14, E23, E32.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:131:y:2016:i:3:p:1543-1592.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29