Nunn, NathanTrefler, Daniel2017-06-232013Nunn, Nathan, and Daniel Trefler. 2013. Incomplete Contracts and the Boundaries of the Multinational Firm. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 94: 330–344. doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2012.10.004.0167-2681http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:33077829Using data on U.S. intra-firm and arm’s-length imports for 5,705 products imported from 220 countries, we examine the determinants of the share of U.S. imports that are intra-firm. We examine two predictions that arise from Antràs (2003), Antràs & Helpman (2008) and Antràs & Helpman (2004). First, we find that, consistent with the implicit logic of Antràs (2003) and the explicit predictions of Antràs & Helpman (2008), vertical integration is increasing in the importance of non-contractible headquarter inputs relative to non-contractible supplier inputs. In other words, we show that only non-contractible headquarter inputs affect the firm’s make-or-buy decision. Second, we also provide empirical support for the Antràs & Helpman (2004) prediction that intra-firm trade is largest where non-contractible headquarter inputs are important and productivity is high.en-USintra-firm tradeincomplete contractsvertical integrationoutsourcingfixed-costsJournal Article2017-01-06201310.1016/j.jebo.2012.10.004