Internalistation, Industrial Policy and Clusters

This paper analyses industrial policy in a high wage open economy hosting an agglomeration consisting of vertically linked upstream and downstream firms. Optimal policy towards upstream and downstream industries differ radically in this setting. However the restriction that the agglomeration should be sustained may restrict the otherwise welfare maximising policy.agglomeration; clusters; taxes

Does FDI Work as a Channel for R&D Spillovers? Evidence Based on Swedish Data

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are important in transmitting technology across national borders. Not only do they allow for transfer of technology within the firm, but it is also believed that they are important channels for international R&D spillovers as well. This paper analyzes empirically whether inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) work as channels for international R&D spillovers. We utilize firm-level as well as industry-level data for Swedish manufacturing in the analysis. We find no evidence of FDI-related R&D spillovers - neither at the firm-level nor at the industry-level in Swedish manufacturing. The only variable that consistently affects total factor productivity is own investment in R&D.Multinational enterprises; Foreign direct investment; Spillovers; Research and development

The choice of trade regime: delayed reform under productivity fluctuations and cost of structural change

Despite the advantages of international trade, a number of countries have stuck to restricted trade regimes, allowing the productivity gap between themselves and the “trading” world to become huge before turning to a more outward oriented trade policy. As a supplement to the existing explanations for the hesitation to change trade regime, we present a model where the international productivity development shared by open economies, is uncertain. Due to uncertainty, it might be optimal to wait and maybe exercise the option to change trade regime later, i.e. to delay a trade reform.Trade policy, uncertainty, delayed reform, stochastic optimal control,

Comparative advantage and economic geography : estimating the determinants of industrial location in the EU

We develop and econometrically estimate a model of the location of industries across countries. The model combines factor endowments and geographical considerations, and shows how industry and country characteristics interact to determine the location of production. We estimate the model on sectoral data for EU countries over the period 1980-97, and find that endowments of skilled and scientific labour are important determinants of industrial structure, as also are forward and backward linkages to industry