اثرات اقتصادی از الگوهای تجاری بر بهره وری: شواهدی از صنعت خودرو کره ای

Among inter-firm trade patterns, the cooperative trade system has proved to be superior to arms-length or market-oriented trade in the long run. Within the cooperative trade system, the transition from dedicated (single supplier) trade to network trade is proving a remarkable phenomenon. In our theoretical model, we compare the relative economic efficiencies between dedicated and network trade systems. Then in empirical analysis, we examine the relationship between alternative trade patterns and the productivity of the automobile industry. The main results of the theoretical model show that network trade results in a higher profit level than dedicated trade as a rule, although network trade is less stable than dedicated trade. Empirical study reveals that increasing network trade leads to higher productivity.

Today's world economy is rapidly being globalized. Some examples of this are the development of information technology, reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers, an increasing number of free trade agreements, and deregulation. These trends have strengthened competition in all industries, and as a result, the importance of the networks that firms have formed to procure competencies that they do not themselves possess is increasing. Moreover, global outsourcing through the delegation of non-core operations or jobs from internal production within a business to an external entity that specializes in that operation is increasing. Facing an intensely competitive environment, the firm's choice of trading pattern is one of the most important strategies for enhancing its competitiveness. That is because the trade pattern in firms located above or below the value-chain affects the price and quality of finished goods. In addition, the trade pattern affects the efficiency of the whole economy as well as the competitiveness and productivity of firms.

Until now, we have looked at the relative economic efficiency of dedicated and network trades through theoretical models and empirical study. Although it may have less stability, network trade brings relatively high social welfare in terms of transportation cost reduction, facilitation of competition, quality improvement, knowledge sharing, and learning effects compared to dedicated trade. The theoretical model shows that in network trade we have higher output and lower prices than we do in dedicated trade, due to introducing competition between parts suppliers. In addition, the total profit of manufacturers and parts suppliers in network trade is greater than that of those in dedicated trade. The empirical analysis also shows results consistent with the theoretical model, by finding a positive relationship between TFP and network trade. Proceeding from these facts, we can logically assume that social welfare improves when the trade pattern among firms changes from the closed type to the open type.