Deregulation, Misallocation, and Size: Evidence from India

Laura  Alfaro; Anusha  Chari

Article | Journal of Law & Economics

Deregulation, Misallocation, and Size: Evidence from India

by Laura Alfaro and Anusha Chari

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of the deregulation of compulsory industrial licensing in India on firm size dynamics and reallocation of resources within industries. Following deregulation, resource misallocation declines, and the left-hand tail of the firm size distribution thickens significantly, suggesting increased entry by small firms. However, the dominance and growth of large incumbents remains unchallenged. Quantile regressions reveal that the distributional effects of deregulation on firm size are significantly non-linear. The reallocation of market shares toward a small number of large firms and a large number of small firms is characterized as the "shrinking middle" in Indian manufacturing. Small- and medium-sized firms may continue to face constraints in their attempts to grow.

Keywords: Business Ventures; Size; Emerging Markets; Supply and Industry; Manufacturing Industry; India;

Format: Print

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Citation:

Alfaro, Laura, and Anusha Chari. "Deregulation, Misallocation, and Size: Evidence from India." Journal of Law & Economics 57, no. 4 (November 2014): 897–936. (Revised February 2014.)

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Deregulation, Misallocation, and Size: Evidence from India

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