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Why do some firms contract out production? Evidence from firm-level panel data

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  • C. D Mora
  • A. Triguero-Cano
Abstract
This article examines which factors determine outsourcing decision using firm level data. According to the theoretical and empirical literature, firm, industry and market characteristics influence the likelihood of contracting out. We try to identify which firm characteristics are prerequisites for becoming an outsourcer. Using a dynamic panel data probit model, our results show that firms with previous subcontracting experience, higher wages, frequent market changes, R&D activities, product differentiation, large size and exporter status are more likely to engage in outsourcing.

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  • C. D Mora & A. Triguero-Cano, 2012. "Why do some firms contract out production? Evidence from firm-level panel data," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(13), pages 1631-1644, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:44:y:2012:i:13:p:1631-1644
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2010.548787
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    1. Sourafel Girma & Holger Görg, 2004. "Outsourcing, Foreign Ownership, and Productivity: Evidence from UK Establishment‐level Data," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(5), pages 817-832, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kwangho Woo & Joonmo Cho, 2016. "Transferring the Cost of Wage Rigidity to Subcontracting Firms: The Case of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Garvan Whelan & Paul Hanly & Vincent O’Connell & Oldřich Ludwig Dittrich & Naser Abu Ghazalah, 2021. "Impact on Firm Liquidity Arising from Outsourcing Decisions as Evidenced by Off-Balance-Sheet Disclosures," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 27(1), pages 17-27, February.
    3. Keuschnigg, Christian & Ribi, Evelyn, 2009. "Outsourcing, unemployment and welfare policy," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(1), pages 168-176, June.
    4. Angels Pelegrín & José García-Quevedo, 2012. "Which firms are involved in foreign vertical integration?," Working Papers 2012/38, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    5. Manuel Artis & Raul Ramos & Jordi Suriñach, 2006. "Job losses, outsourcing and relocation, empirical evidence using microdata," IREA Working Papers 200601, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Dec 2006.
    6. Angels Pelegrín & José García-Quevedo, 2012. "Which firms are involved in foreign vertical integration?," Working Papers 2012/38, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    7. Jos頃. Fari & Alberto L󰥺 & Ana Mart󻑍arcos, 2014. "Assessing the impact of domestic outsourcing and offshoring on productivity at the firm level," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(15), pages 1814-1828, May.
    8. Àngels Pelegrín Solé & Catalina Bolance Losilla, 2010. "International industry migration and firm characteristics: some evidence from the analysis of firm data," Working Papers 2010/20, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    9. Linares Navarro, E. & Pla Barber, J. & Puig Blanco, F, 2009. "La Estrategia De Outsourcing Internacional En España: Una Aproximación A Los Sectores Manufactureros Tradicionales / The Strategy Of International Outsourcing In Spain: An Approximation To The Traditi," Investigaciones Europeas de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa (IEDEE), Academia Europea de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa (AEDEM), vol. 15(3), pages 55-67.

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