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Exports and Productivity: A Survey of the Evidence from Firm‐level Data

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  • Joachim Wagner

Abstract

While the role of exports in promoting growth in general, and productivity in particular, has been investigated empirically using aggregate data for countries and industries for a long time, only recently have comprehensive longitudinal data at the firm level been used to look at the extent and causes of productivity differentials between exporters and their counterparts which sell on the domestic market only. This paper surveys the empirical strategies applied, and the results produced, in 54 microeconometric studies with data from 34 countries that were published between 1995 and 2006. Details aside, exporters are found to be more productive than non‐exporters, and the more productive firms self‐select into export markets, while exporting does not necessarily improve productivity.

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  • Joachim Wagner, 2007. "Exports and Productivity: A Survey of the Evidence from Firm‐level Data," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 60-82, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:30:y:2007:i:1:p:60-82
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9701.2007.00872.x
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    JEL classification:

    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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