Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/18072 
Year of Publication: 
2003
Series/Report no.: 
DIW Discussion Papers No. 336
Publisher: 
Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), Berlin
Abstract: 
The paper explores theoretically and empirically why trade intermediaries (TIs) are frequently used as agents for exports to some countries but not to others. We adapt a standard intra-industry trade model with variable export costs (e.g. transport) and fixed export costs (e.g. market access) to include a TI that is able to pool market access cost. From this framework explanatory factors for the TI share in a country?s exports are derived and subsequently tested with a new data set based on French customs information. The paper finds that: (i) higher market access costs increase the TI share, (ii) smaller export markets feature a larger TI share, (iii) the TI share is independent from variable (distance-dependent) export costs.
Subjects: 
trade intermediation
indirect exports
transaction costs
monopolistic competition
JEL: 
F15
F12
F23
F10
D23
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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