Import competition from and offshoring to China: A curse or blessing for firms?

摘要: We use Belgian manufacturing firm-level data over the period 1996–2007 to analyze impact of imports from different origins on firm employment growth, exit, and skill upgrading. For this purpose, we both industry-level by country origin further distinguish between offshoring final versus intermediate goods. Results indicate that China is other low-wage OECD countries. Industry-level import competition reduces growth induce upgrading in low-tech industries. On hand, has no effect survival, while finished goods actually increases firms' probability survival. In terms upgrading, Chinese large. Import accounts for 27% (48%) total observed increase – within firms share non-production (highly educated) workers our analysis. Offshoring a small but significant workers.