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Organizing knowledge to compete

Author

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  • Cruz, Marcio
  • Bussolo, Maurizio
  • Iacovone, Leonardo

Abstract

A growing literature aiming at explaining differences in productivity and access to global export markets across firms has focused on the internal organization of firms. This paper contributes to this literature by evaluating the impact of a program that aims at enhancing competitiveness of small and medium enterprises in Brazil by providing coaching and consulting on management and production practices. Specifically, the paper tests whether the program induces treated firms to reorganize knowledge by adding more layers of different skills and competencies to their workforces. Using a unique firm-level data set, the number of layers of knowledge of the firms are compared before and after the program. The impact of the program is identified by relying on an instrumental variable approach, exploiting the quasi-experimental roll-out of its implementation, which was carried out at different times across Brazilian regions. The analysis finds that the program had an effect and that this effect is heterogeneous. The program is particularly effective in promoting the reorganization of small and medium firms. The results confirm another finding of the literature, namely that in re-organized firms wage inequality increases. Finally, these results are used to discuss how the change in firms' organization is positively correlated with export performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Cruz, Marcio & Bussolo, Maurizio & Iacovone, Leonardo, 2018. "Organizing knowledge to compete," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 1-20.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:inecon:v:111:y:2018:i:c:p:1-20
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2017.12.001
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    5. Monte, Ferdinando & Rossi-Hansberg, Esteban & Caliendo, Lorenzo, 2017. "Exporting and Organizational Change," CEPR Discussion Papers 12177, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Coad, Alexander & Domnick, Clemens & Flachenecker, Florian & Harasztosi, Peter & Janiri, Mario Lorenzo & Pál, Rozália & Teruel Carrizosa, Mercedes, 2021. "Do capacity constraints trigger high growth for enterprises?," EIB Working Papers 2021/08, European Investment Bank (EIB).
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    9. Tommaso Ciarli & Alex Coad & Alessio Moneta, 2019. "Exporting and productivity as part of the growth process: Causal evidence from a data-driven structural VAR," LEM Papers Series 2019/39, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    10. Alex Coad, 2022. "Lumps, Bumps and Jumps in the Firm Growth Process," Foundations and Trends(R) in Entrepreneurship, now publishers, vol. 18(4), pages 212-267, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm organization; Capacity building; Managers; Impact evaluation; Trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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