HCBE Faculty Articles

US foreign trade zones and import intensity examining determinants of import intensity in US foreign trade zones

ORCID

Belay Seyoum0000-0002-8527-6481

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

European Business Review

ISSN

0955-534X

Publication Date

2017

Abstract/Excerpt

Purpose: The paper aims to investigate the effects of several determinants of firm import intensity in US foreign trade zones (FTZs). Even though the major objective for the establishment of US FTZs is to encourage exports by facilitating the duty-free entry of imports, US firms have used it as a gateway to import goods into the US market. Currently, over 90 per cent of US FTZ output is consumed in the USA. The author examines the major determinants for such import intensity in US FTZs.
Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on a survey that was conducted to explore the factors that influence import intensity of firms operating in US FTZs.
Findings: The findings reveal that besides export orientation of firms, the most promising predictors of import intensity of firms operating in USA FTZs are the policy environment in the form of inverted tariff benefits and firm business strategy.
Practical implications: The findings are important for managers presently operating in US FTZs or intend to do so in future.
Originality/value: Even though there are numerous studies on free trade zones and exports, this is the first study to examine the import intensity of US FTZs and their determinants.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-06-2016-0072

Volume

29

Issue

1

First Page

103

Last Page

122

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