We find that local Chinese officials with stronger career concerns were more reluctant to impose COVID-19 lockdown policies. Local officials win promotions by posting strong economic growth numbers in their regions, but lockdowns can suppress growth. We show that local officials who would have...

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global trade and production. It has affected firms' operations directly and indirectly through their production networks. To cope with the crisis, many firms have allowed their employees to work from home. This study examines whether firms more exposed to the...