Multinational firms, exclusivity, and backward linkages

Ping LIN, Kamal SAGGI

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

How does the nature of contractual relationships between a multinational and its local suppliers affect backward linkages and welfare in the local industry? We address this question in a two-tier oligopoly model where a multinational transfers technology to its suppliers if they accept an exclusive contract that precludes them from serving its local rivals. Invited suppliers balance the benefits of gaining access to new technology and the derived demand of the multinational against the opportunity of selling to other local firms. Exclusivity reduces competition among local suppliers and can lower backward linkages and local welfare relative to autarky.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)206-220
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of International Economics
Volume71
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Mar 2007

Funding

We thank two anonymous referees, Jonathan Eaton, Taiji Furusawa, Jörn Kleinert, Jim Markusen, Larry Qiu, Santanu Roy, and participants at Kiel Institute's Conference on Multinationals and International Integration (Oct. 2004), at Kobe University's Conference on New Dimensions in International Trade: Outsourcing, Cross-border Merger and Culture (Dec. 2004), and at SMU's Economics Department's Faculty Symposium (Dec. 2004) for helpful comments.

Keywords

  • Backward linkages
  • Exclusivity
  • Multinational firms
  • Vertical technology transfer

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  • Multinational firms, exclusivity, and backward linkages

    LIN, P. & SAGGI, K., Sept 2023, Technology Transfer, Foreign Direct Investment, and the Protection of Intellectual Property in the Global Economy. SAGGI, K. (ed.). World Scientific, p. 189-203 15 p. (World Scientific Studies in International Economics; vol. 82).

    Research output: Book Chapters | Papers in Conference ProceedingsBook ChapterResearchpeer-review

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