Upstream, Downstream: Diffusion and Impacts of the Universal Product Code
January 2017
Working Paper Number:
CES-17-66R
Abstract
We study the adoption, diffusion, and impacts of the Universal Product Code (UPC) between 1975 and 1992, during the initial years of the barcode system. We find evidence of network effects in the diffusion process. Matched-sample difference-in-difference estimates show that firm size and trademark registrations increase following UPC adoption by manufacturers. Industry-level import penetration also increases with domestic UPC adoption. Our findings suggest that barcodes, scanning, and related technologies helped stimulate variety-enhancing product innovation and encourage the growth of international retail supply chains.
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:
manufacturing,
commerce,
manufacturer,
product,
innovation,
inventory,
patent,
technology adoption,
retailer,
warehousing,
wholesale,
trademark,
supplier
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Small Business Administration,
Standard Industrial Classification,
Census of Manufactures,
Annual Survey of Manufactures,
Ordinary Least Squares,
Total Factor Productivity,
National Bureau of Economic Research,
Longitudinal Business Database,
NBER Summer Institute,
Census of Retail Trade,
Electronic Data Interchange,
Wal-Mart,
Economic Census,
North American Industry Classification System,
Patent and Trademark Office,
Business Register,
University of Michigan,
Census Bureau Disclosure Review Board,
Disclosure Review Board,
North American Industry Classi,
Business Dynamics Statistics,
Federal Statistical Research Data Center
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