Discussion Paper
No. 2019-66 | November 19, 2019
Jianhua Duan, Xuefeng Qian, Kuntal K. Das, Laura Meriluoto and W. Robert Reed
A replication of “The role of intermediaries in facilitating trade” (Journal of International Economics, 2011)
(Published in Replication Study)

Abstract

This study replicates Ahn, Khandelwal, and Wei’s (AKW´s) (2011) model of intermediary trade. The authors´ study produces two main results. First, the authors are able to reproduce empirical evidence for AKW’s three main predictions for Chinese exports. This is impressive because much of the data for their replication are independently sourced. However, when they subject AKW´s model to additional tests, they find that the evidence is not robust. Using more recently available data to test AKW´s first prediction, the authors estimate coefficients that are wrong-signed and significant. When they re-analyze the evidence supporting AKW´s second and third predictions, they find that the full sample results mask significant heterogeneity across Chinese regions. In many cases, key coefficients are insignificant. In a few cases, they are wrong-signed and significant. Finally, using multiple versions of a key variable measuring the number of required import documents by country, they discover that the results are not robust across versions. The paper´s data set: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/BT8JPN

JEL Classification:

F1

Links

Cite As

[Please cite the corresponding journal article] Jianhua Duan, Xuefeng Qian, Kuntal K. Das, Laura Meriluoto, and W. Robert Reed (2019). A replication of “The role of intermediaries in facilitating trade” (Journal of International Economics, 2011). Economics Discussion Papers, No 2019-66, Kiel Institute for the World Economy. http://www.economics-ejournal.org/economics/discussionpapers/2019-66


Comments and Questions



JaeBin Ahn, Amit Khandelwal, Shang-Jin Wei - Original authors’ feedback
November 19, 2019 - 10:49
see attached file

Jianhua Duan, Xuefeng Qian, Kuntal K. Das, Laura Meriluoto, and W. Robert Reed - Resonse
June 22, 2020 - 09:47
see attached file

Anonymous - Referee report 1
January 03, 2020 - 09:41
see attached file

Anonymous - Response to Referee 1
June 22, 2020 - 09:50
see attached file

Anonymous - Referee report 2
January 08, 2020 - 08:45
see attached file

Jianhua Duan, Xuefeng Qian, Kuntal K. Das, Laura Meriluoto, and W. Robert Reed - Response to Referee 2
June 22, 2020 - 09:52
see attached file