Katharina Erhardt

Thematic seminars
Macro and labor market seminar

Katharina Erhardt

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, DICE, Kiel Institut, CESifo
Young Firms under Pressure: Heterogeneous Investment Responses to a Trade Shock
Venue

MEGA Salle Carine Nourry

MEGA - Salle Carine Nourry

Maison de l'économie et de la gestion d'Aix
424 chemin du viaduc
13080 Aix-en-Provence

Date(s)
Thursday, November 13 2025| 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Contact(s)

Marco Fongoni: marco.fongoni[at]univ-amu.fr
Alexandros Loukas: alexandros.loukas[at]univ-amu.fr

Abstract

This paper studies heterogeneous firm responses to the sudden profitability shock from the 2015 Swiss franc appreciation. Using firm-level investment data, we show that affected firms experience large and persistent investment declines. Among equally exposed firms, heterogeneity is not explained by fundamentals but is strongly linked to firm age and managerial experience: younger firms and those led by less experienced managers react much more strongly. We interpret these patterns through a Bayesian learning framework, in which firms update beliefs about profitability over time. The results highlight how trade shocks shape business dynamism, capital investment, and employment.

More information