R&D in trade networks: The role of asymmetry

This paper argues that asymmetry in countries’ trade exposure is an important determinant of firms’ R&D, productivity and countries’ welfare. We model a choice of R&D in a given trade network focusing on asymmetric hub-and-spoke networks and symmetric networks. We find that R&D, productivity and total surplus are highest in a hub economy and lowest in a spoke, while intermediate levels are exhibited by countries in a symmetric network. Thus, regional/preferential trade agreements, resulting in asymmetric trade networks, benefit hubs but harm spokes. By contrast, multilateral trade agreements, resulting in a complete network, generate equal R&D and welfare benefits for all countries.