Trade Liberalization, Intermediate Inputs, and Productivity: Evidence from Indonesia

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2007
Volume: 97
Issue: 5
Pages: 1611-1638

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 paper estimates the productivity gains from reducing tariffs on final goods and from reducing tariffs on intermediate inputs. Lower output tariffs can increase productivity by inducing tougher import competition, whereas cheaper imported inputs can raise productivity via learning, variety, and quality effects. We use Indonesian manufacturing census data from 1991 to 2001, which include plant-level information on imported inputs. The results show that a 10 percentage point fall in input tariffs leads to a productivity gain of 12 percent for firms that import their inputs, at least twice as high as any gains from reducing output tariffs. (JEL F12, F13, L16, O14, O19, O24)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:97:y:2007:i:5:p:1611-1638
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24