Diffusion of Containerization

Rua, Gisela

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2520208

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Diffusion of Containerization

FEDS Working Paper No. 2014-88

64 Pages Posted: 12 Nov 2014

See all articles by Gisela Rua

Gisela Rua

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Economics; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

There are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 30, 2014

Abstract

This paper uses a newly constructed, comprehensive dataset to investigate the diffusion of containerization. The data show that country adoption is exceptionally fast while firm usage increases more slowly. To guide my empirical investigation, I build a multi-country trade model with endogenous adoption of a new transportation technology that is consistent with these facts. I then test empirically the predictions of the model and find that: (1) usage of containerization increases with firms' fixed costs and the size and average income of the container network; and (2) adoption depends on expected future usage, adoption costs, and trade with the United States, the first and largest user of containerization.

Keywords: Globalization, transportation, trade, technology diffusion

JEL Classification: F63, L91, N70, O33

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Rua, Gisela and Rua, Gisela, Diffusion of Containerization (October 30, 2014). FEDS Working Paper No. 2014-88, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2520208 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2520208