We use detailed data on Chilean imports between 1990 and 2005 to analyze the causes of China’s import penetration relative to other countries. China exports a wide variety of products. The growth in China’s exports, however, is mainly driven by an increase in import penetration within common...

China’s exports have skyrocketed in the last 15 years. We use highly-disaggregated import data from Chile between 1990 and 2005 to decompose the causes of such export performance. We find that China’s high export growth is mainly explained by an increase in the quality of its varieties...

We use detailed Chilean plant-level data from 1990 to 2000 to study the impact of Chinese import competition in manufacturing industries. We study whether China’s imports have been associated with a downsizing of manufacturing plants or whether firms have escaped Chinese competition through...

This paper addresses the way optimal cash holdings decisions may be affected in episodes of adverse liquidity shocks. Motivated by the recent financial crisis, we are particularly interested in understanding how firm characteristics can explain differences in the adjustment speed to desired cash...

Using a rich dataset of Chilean exporters, we analyze several issues related to the relationship between entry into export markets and product quality. We find that every year a large number of new exporting relationships are initiated, with either new firms or existent ones that begin...

This paper examines the effect of real exchange rate volatility on the intensive margin and the extensive margin of exports. Using highly disaggregated U.S. import data by product and country of origin, and a methodology that takes into account the possible endogeneity of volatility to trade,...

This paper analyzes the relationship between probability of survival and plant size. Using information for the Chilean manufacturing industry over the period 1979-1999, we study empirically if small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have reduced their probability of survival over time. Our...

This paper examines the link between multinational enterprises and employment growth at the plant-level. We investigate in detail the comparative response of multinationals and domestic firms to an economic crisis, using the empirical setting of a well defined case of economic slowdown in Chile...

This paper discusses the implications on sector growth within the context of a specialization model based on factor endowment. The empirical literature is examined, which reveals that the only way for the economy to alter its specialization patterns toward the production of goods that are...

In this paper I use a broad multi-country dataset to analyze divergent experiences in export orientation over time. First, I use transition probability matrices for comparing how countries move across the world distribution for different time periods. I find that transitions toward high export...