최신자료
Slice to Protect
We examine how firms strategically slice up global production processes to protect proprietary knowhow.By sourcing fewer inputs from each supplier, firms avoid the concentration of information inthe hands of individual suppliers and thereby reduce the risk of imitation. Using rich micro data onfirm-to-firm trade in automotive components, we uncover a robust U-shaped relationship between thenumber of components sourced per supplier (concentration) and the strength of intellectual propertyrights (IPR) protection. This U-shape can be rationalized by a combination of a protective effect anda compositional effect of IPR institutions. In countries with weak IPR protection, firms source onlylow-tech components, for which imitation is irrelevant, so concentration is optimal. At intermediateIPR levels, they buy more high-tech, imitation-prone components and therefore ‘slice to protect’.Under strong IPR regimes, imitation risk is minimal and concentration is highest. Empirically, weakIPR institutions strongly predict slicing of high-tech components.
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