Trade liberalization and firms’ productivity in Vietnam: the role of local business environment
利用2006-2012年越南企业数据，研究发现贸易开放提升企业效率，但地方市场扭曲（如产权保护不力、土地制度低效、官僚障碍和劳动力市场摩擦）会削弱这一效应，提示贸易改革需配套地方市场改革。
This paper examines how frictions in the local business environment where firms operate alter the productivity gains from trade. Using Vietnamese firm-level data from 2006 to 2012, the analysis provides robust evidence of a positive effect of trade opening on firms’ efficiency. However, distortions that operate through certain local market features in the form of unenforceable property rights, an ineffective land-titling system, bureaucratic hurdles and labour market frictions play a crucial role in the transmission of trade liberalization shocks. These findings have important policy implications because they suggest that complementary policies addressing local market constraints need to be implemented alongside trade reforms.