Competition Makes IT Better : Evidence on When Firms Use IT More Effectively

Iacovone, Leonardo ; Pereira-Lopez, Mariana ; Schiffbauer, Marc

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: SKILLS;    EMPLOYMENT;    COMMUNITIES;    DISCUSSION;    COMPETITORS;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-7638
RP-ID  :  WPS7638

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper uses a unique firm-level dataset for Mexico, with information never used for researchbefore, to assess how use of information technology (IThenceforth) influences firm performance. Further, the paperexplores if, in the context of increasing competition fromChina, this effect is different for firms more stronglyaffected by competition where incentives for upgrading andinnovation may be more intense. In this perspective, thepaper analyzes the complementarity between IT and otherchanges spurred by competition, taking advantage of theexogenous shock generated by Chinese competition. Theresults indicate that IT use has higher effects overproductivity in the case of firms facing higher competitionfrom China, in the domestic market and in the U.S. market.Furthermore, the paper shows how these changes appear to bedriven by complementary investments in innovation andorganizational changes.