Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Papers in Economics,
University of Bergen, Department of Economics

No 07/15: The performance of large versus specialized firms: A study of firms importing apples into Norway

Hans-Martin Straume () and Erling Vårdal ()
Additional contact information
Hans-Martin Straume: Department of Economics, University of Bergen, and Department of Economics, BI Norwegian Business School, Postal: Department of Economics, P.O. 7802, N-5020 Bergen
Erling Vårdal: Department of Economics, University of Bergen, Postal: Department of Economics, P.O. 7802, N-5020 Bergen

Abstract: We use highly disaggregated Norwegian custom data of importing firms to investigate differences in obtained import prices in the period 2003-2009. In addition to the importing firm we are also able to identify the foreign exporter. The obtained import prices are related to firm characteristics as size of the firm, degree of specialization and also the chosen invoicing currency. Our focus is on one single product; fresh apples. We find a surprisingly high variation in import prices. It turns out that the firm specific variables, largeness and specialization, result in significantly lower import prices. In addition, if apples are priced in the currency of the exporter, he must accept a 13-18 per cent drop in the price he obtains. This effect proves to be highly significant.

Keywords: import prices; firm specific factors; transaction data; tariff regimes

JEL-codes: F15; Q17

26 pages, October 3, 2015

Full text files 

Working%20paper%2007-15.pdf PDF-file Full text

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Kjell Erik Lommerud ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:bergec:2015_007This page generated on 2024-10-27 22:37:47.