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Industrial Policy: Lessons from Shipbuilding

Panle Jia Barwick, Myrto Kalouptsidi, Nahim Bin Zahur, Dec 18, 2024

The article discusses that although China's industrial policy (IP) in the shipbuilding industry significantly increased domestic shipbuilding production and global market share, it had limited effects on improving domestic welfare and led to inefficient allocation of resources.

Bilateral Economies of Scope in International Trade

Yao Amber Li, Sichuang Xu, Stephen R. Yeaple, Tengyu Zhao, Jan 15, 2025

This paper presents evidence that firms’ export and import decisions within the same foreign market are complementary, due to bilateral economies of scope that allow substantial cost savings when engaging in both activities. By quantifying these savings through a structural model, we show that bilateral economies of scope significantly enhance firms’ participation in international trade and amplify the effects of trade liberalization, offering new insights for policymakers and researchers.

Can Environmental Regulation Enhance Productivity? Evidence from China’s Industrial Sector

Yangsiyu Lu, Jacquelyn Pless, Feb 19, 2025

Our study also contributes to the broader discourse on industrial policy (see Juhász, Lane, and Rodrik 2023 for a recent review of related academic literature). As debates about green industrial policy gains traction in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, there is revived interest in developing a better understanding of how it might impact economic activity. Although economic growth and environmental regulation are often pitted against each other, our findings suggest that this need not be the case.

Firm-to-Firm Referrals

Jing Cai, Wei Lin, Adam Szeidl, Dec 25, 2024

Referring suppliers to clients reshaped the supplier-client network and improved business performance.

Rural Road Stimulus and the Role of Matching Mandates on Economic Recovery in China

Anthony Howell, Oct 30, 2024

The findings show that the temporary cost share exemption boosts short-term income growth, increases local investment in infrastructure, and promotes entrepreneurial activities, particularly among returning migrants.