We develop a theoretical framework to explain firms' offshoring decisions in the presence of uncertainty. This model … sharp prediction of the prevalence of offshoring in a given industry: The propensity of firms to source intermediate inputs … particularly pronounced in industries with higher volatility. Combining industry-level data on the U.S. offshoring intensity with …

In this paper we explore the role that demand uncertainty plays for the offshoring decision, and the role that … offshoring plays for domestic volatility of employment. Offshoring is modeled as in Antràs & Helpman (2004), but we assume … firm's employment decision in its domestic and offshore production. In this environment, offshoring is driven by …