​The Local Technology Spillovers of Multinational Firms​
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​(Revision requested by Journal of International Economics)

This paper identifies the causal effect of U.S. multinationals' technology shocks on their subsidiaries' and nearby domestic firms' productivity in China. By combining firm-level data from both the U.S. and China, I match U.S. multinationals with their manufacturing subsidiaries in China and measure the multinationals' technology shocks to the local firms in China based on the multinationals' patenting activities in the U.S. To address potential endogeneity concerns, I introduce an instrumental variable strategy based on U.S. state-level R&D tax credit policies. I find multinationals' technology improvements induce an increase in the value-added output and total factor productivity (TFP) of both their own subsidiaries and domestic firms in the local areas. The size of the local technology spillover effect depends on local firms' absorptive capacity. I further provide evidence of spillovers through production linkages as well as technological linkages. In addition, spillovers through technological linkages also stimulate innovation of the productive local firms.

​Measuring the Impact of Regulation on Firms 
​
With ​Constantine Yannelis

This paper introduces a new measure of firm-level regulation. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we find that more regulation increases labor and capital inputs. Productivity decreases, which is consistent with a model of regulation inducing non-productive investment. We employ two empirical strategies to identify the causal impact of regulation on firms, first, utilizing structural breaks and industry level regulation changes, and second, computing predicted industry level regulation measures as instruments. We conduct an event study using the surprise 2016 US election results. Firms with higher Dodd-Frank exposure exhibited higher returns following an increase in the probability of repeal.

Does Import Competition Induce R&D Reallocation? Evidence from the U.S.

​With Rui Xu

We analyse the impact of rising import competition from China on U.S. innovative activities. Using Compustat data, we find that import competition induces R&D expenditures to be reallocated towards more productive and more profitable firms within each industry. Such reallocation effect has the potential to offset the average drop in firm-level R&D identified in the previous literature. Indeed, our quantitative analysis shows no adverse impact of import competition on aggregate R&D expenditures. Taking the analysis beyond manufacturing, we find that import competition has led to reallocation of researchers towards booming service industries, including business and repairs, personal, and financial services.

Riding Out the COVID-19 Storm: How Government Policies Affect SMEs in China

​With Joy Chen, Zijun Cheng, and Jinlin Li

​Based on a nationally representative survey on SMEs in China, we study the impact of government policy interventions on SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings are three-fold. First, regional and local lock-down policies decrease SMEs' incidence of reopening and delay their expected reopening in the near future, likely by reducing consumer demand. Second, stabilization policies in the form of payment deferrals and exemptions significantly improve SMEs' cash flows and further stimulate their operational recovery. This effect is more pronounced for firms with larger shares of high-skilled employees. Last, financial support policies do not appear to be effective in alleviating SMEs' cash constraints or encouraging the reopening of small businesses, potentially due to difficulties in accessing policy-oriented loans and misallocation of credit. Our findings shed new light on the policy debates on supporting SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.