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A Touch of Sophistication: FDI and Unit Values of Exports

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  • Torfinn Harding
  • Beata Smarzynska Javorcik
  • Beata Smarzynska Javorcik

Abstract

The debate on trade and growth increasingly focuses on the composition of exports. Exports of more “sophisticated” products appear to be positively correlated with growth, and upgrading the quality of exports is high on the policy agenda of many countries. This study presents evidence suggesting that attracting inflows of FDI offers potential for upgrading a country’s export basket. The empirical analysis relates unit values of exports measured at the 4-digit SITC level to data on sectors treated by investment promotion agencies as priority in their efforts to attract FDI. The sample covers 116 countries over the period 1984-2000. The findings are consistent with a positive effect of FDI on unit values of exports in developing countries. However, such a relationship is less evident in developed countries. These results suggest that FDI can help bridge gaps in production and marketing techniques between developing and high income economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Torfinn Harding & Beata Smarzynska Javorcik & Beata Smarzynska Javorcik, 2009. "A Touch of Sophistication: FDI and Unit Values of Exports," CESifo Working Paper Series 2865, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2865
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    Cited by:

    1. Fan, Zhaobin & Anwar, Sajid & Huang, Shujuan, 2018. "Cultural diversity and export sophistication," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 508-522.
    2. Yingzhu Yang & Qunhao Wang & Yang Gao & Lexiang Zhao, 2022. "Does Environmental Regulation Promote the Upgrade of the Export Technology Structure: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Florian Mayneris & Sandra Poncet, 2010. "Export Performance of China's Domestic Firms: the Role of Foreign Export Spillovers," Working Papers 2010-32, CEPII research center.
    4. Romero, Alberto & Colina, Mary Analí Vera, 2014. "Las empresas transnacionales y los países en desarrollo," Revista Tendencias, Universidad de Narino, vol. 15(2), pages 58-89, July.
    5. Lihua Gu, 2021. "The Impact of Intelligent Manufacturing on Export Sophistication: Evidence from Industrial Robots," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(12), pages 183-183, July.
    6. Su, Xiaoyan & Anwar, Sajid & Zhou, Ying & Tang, Xuan, 2020. "Services trade restrictiveness and manufacturing export sophistication," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    7. Kaitila, Ville, 2010. "Quality-adjusted similarity of EU-countriesŽ export structure," Discussion Papers 1227, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    export quality; unit values; FDI; investment promotion; industrial policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods

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