TBTs, firm organization and labor structure

Abstract This article investigates the effect of shocks to the occupational structure of exporting firms induced by the introduction of technical barriers to trade (TBTs) in importing countries. We rely on specific trade concerns data to identify trade‐restrictive TBT measures, combined with matched employer‐employee data for French exporters over the period 1995–2010, and information on the product‐destinations served by each exporter. Controlling for time‐invariant firm/occupation fixed effects and for time‐varying sector/occupation shocks, the 2SLS estimates show that exporting firms adapt to the imposition of TBTs at destination by increasing the share of managers at the expense of blue collars, white collars and other professionals.