The evolution of comparative advantage: Measurement and welfare implications

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Levchenko, Andrei A.; Zhang, Jing
• 署名单位: University of Michigan System; University of Michigan; National Bureau of Economic Research; Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR); Federal Reserve System - USA; Federal Reserve Bank - Chicago
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF MONETARY ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2016.01.005
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 96-111
• 关键词: Technological change; Sectoral TFP; Ricardian models of trade; welfare

摘要

Using novel estimates of sectoral total factor productivities for 72 countries across 5 decades we provide evidence of relative productivity convergence: productivity grew systematically faster in initially relatively less productive sectors. These changes have had a significant impact on trade volumes and patterns, and a non-negligible welfare impact. Had productivity in each country's manufacturing sector relative to the US remained the same as in the 1960s, trade volumes would be higher, cross-country export patterns more dissimilar, and intra-industry trade lower than in the data. Relative sectoral productivity convergence - holding average growth fixed - had a modest negative welfare impact. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.