Empirical analyses of offshoring based on Japanese firm-level data:A survey

Abstract

This paper surveys empirical analyses of offshoring (offshore sourcing) based on Japanese firm - level data. Before the literature review, the background of recent active research on this topic is briefly overviewed by referring to increasing avail ability of microdata and the development of firm heterogeneity trade theory. The research topics covered in this paper include the relation with firm’s productivity, inter - firm networking, boundaries of firms, and the impact on employment. The data source used by each study is explained with special emphasis on Japanese unique data. The directions for future research is also suggested.