Trade liberalization and firm-level productivity: A panel data analysis of the Indian iron-steel industry
Trade liberalization and firm-level productivity: A panel data analysis of the Indian iron-steel industry

Summary/Abstract: The iron-steel industry in India contributes about 3% of gross domestic product and provides employment for more than half a million people. However, although steel production in India has increased at a trend growth rate of 7.83% during the post-reform period between 1991-1992 and 2012-2013, this does not necessarily indicate efficient utilization of production factors, as it can also result from a higher level of inputs. Therefore, it is important to record productivity growth and identify its determinants. This study estimates total factor productivity (from firm-level data) in the Indian iron-steel industry and examines the impact of trade liberalization (measured as decline in input tariffs, output tariffs, and effective protection rate) on productivity during the abovementioned period.

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