Country Size and Comparative Advantage: An Empirical Study
Posted: 2 May 1997
Date Written: January 1997
Abstract
We formulate a simple model that captures two recent hypotheses: (i) that countries with an abundant absolute endowment of skilled labour will be net exporters in R&D- intensive industries; and (ii) that countries with a large domestic market will be net exporters in scale-intensive industries. The hypotheses are empirically tested by studying the trade of each and every OECD country individually. Thereafter, we pool the data into one regression by introducing, simultaneously, country and industry characteristics. The results offer relatively strong support for hypothesis (i) and some support for hypothesis (ii).
JEL Classification: F12, F14
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation