Terrorist attacks and total factor productivity

Abstract

This study examines the impact of terrorist attacks on total factor productivity (TFP). Using measures of attack proximity in the U.S., we find strong evidence that terrorist attacks overall reduce firm-level TFP. Specifically, the firms located near terrorist attacks experience a nearly 3.4% TFP decrease in standard deviation units. Our evidence is robust to a battery of additional tests, and the impact of terrorist attacks on TFP is more pronounced for high-competition industries and firms with high tangibility.