Heterogeneous impact of import competition on firm organisation: Evidence from Japanese firm‐level data

Abstract

This study empirically investigates the effect of import competition on within‐firm employment reorganisation using a Japanese firm‐level dataset covering the period of 1997–2014. Moreover, this study examines whether the import competition against low‐income countries leads to a shift from a manufacturing activity to non‐manufacturing activity, such as headquarters’ services, wholesale, retail or R&D. Furthermore, this study explored the heterogeneity of the impacts of import competition according to firm size. Findings reveal that competition from Chinese imports induces manufacturing firms to increase the share of service workers, particularly workers that engage in wholesale, retail and other service activities.

The impact of agricultural minimum wages on worker flows in South Africa

“…Third, this paper distinguishes differences by seasonal and non-seasonal workers. Findings from Matsuura et al (2011) and Saha et al (2013) have shown that stricter employment regulation incentivizes firms to hire fewer workers on secure, longer term contracts. Non-seasonal workers may be particularly affected by the increase in the legislated minimum wage in the context that we study.…”