Sebastián Vergara

EFICIENCIA TECNICA Y ESCALAS DE OPERACION EN PESCA PELAGICA: UN ANALISIS DE FRONTERAS ESTOCASTICAS

This paper examines estimations of technical catch efficiency for a sample of 204 industrial vessels operating at the pelagic grounds of Southern-Central Chile during the 1985-95 period. We consider a Translog stochastic frontier model a-la Battese-Coelli

What Drives ICT Diffusion in Developing Countries? Evidence from Paraguay

The diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been identified by international policy-makers and schol ars as an important driver for economic development. In this perspective, research on the determinants of technology adoption appears particularly relevant. However, while the empirical literature on ICT adoption in workplace is relative ly abundant, few studies have been elaborated on their penetration in households. Addi tionally, academic work has focused on industrialized countries and it is still missing a comprehensive analysis on developing world. In this paper we contribute to fill this gap, evaluating the main socio-economic determinants of the presence of computer and Internet connection in Paraguayan households. Non-parametric statistics sh ow that Paraguay has relatively low levels of ICT penetration. Moreover, technology diffusion follows a heterogeneous pattern, reflecting pre-existing ineq ualities in other socio-economic dimensions. Econometrically, we model the probability that a ho usehold has or has not adopted computer technologies and Internet acce ss. The results confirm that conventional variables such as income and education are key determinants of ICT diffusion, but there is also evidence of the presen ce of geographical network effects and of complementarities between Internet use at di fferent locations.

Globalization, Survival, and Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Firms

In this paper we analyze the relationship between survival, employment growth and firm size in Chile, an economy that has reduced largely its trade barriers in the last three decades. We are particularly interested in analyzing whether small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have experienced negative effects on their survival probability and employment growth. Our results do not support some popular claims that SMEs are highly damaged by globalization. To better identify these effects, we exploit differences in external exposure of manufacturing industries. We find that compared to firms of the same size in less globalized industries, SMEs are more likely to survive in industries more exposed to external competition. Moreover, in terms of employment, SMEs are generally more able to grow in more globalized industries.

ICT access in Latin America. evidence from household level

The diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is becoming a central policy issue for developing countries, being identified by international policy-makers and scholars as an important driver of knowledge, innovation and economic growth. We analyze ICT access patterns in seven Latin American countries. In particular, we study the socio-economic determinants of the presence of computers and Internet connection at household level. Descriptive data show that ICT diffusion is concentrated in narrowly defined segments of income and educational groups in each country. Across countries, there is also evidence that the lower is the ICT diffusion, the higher is the inequality of that diffusion. Econometrically, we model the probability that a household has or has not adopted computer technologies and Internet access. The results confirm that variables such as income, education and rural/urban areas are key determinants of ICT diffusion. Additionally, there is evidence of geographical network effects and complementarities between Internet uses at different locations.

Who Dies in Developing Countries?: International Trade and Plant Heterogeneity

Several studies have found that plant turnover contributes to productivity growth. This evidence is consistent with the idea that, by reducing the protection granted to inefficient firms, trade liberalization generates the productivity gains associated with resource reallocation from less productive to more productive firms. However, little empirical work has been done that directly links trade variables with plant turnover. This paper uses Chilean trade reforms to shed light on the effects of tariff changes on plant exit. Our econometric analysis shows that larger and more productive plants are less likely to exit. After controlling for these characteristics, we find that exit is more likely in tradable industries, and even larger in import-competing industries. Moreover, we find a differential impact of tariff changes. Reductions in trade protection increase more greatly the exit probability for plants in import-competing industries. All of our findings are consistent with resource reallocation occurring within and across industries.