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Export quality differentiation under credit constraints

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  • Andrea Ciani
  • Francesca Bartoli

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of credit constraints on the choice by small and medium‐sized enterprises to export goods of higher quality relative to their domestically sold output (quality differentiation). The empirical analysis employs detailed firm‐level data on product characteristics and credit scores. Credit constraints are found to be negatively associated with export quality differentiation. Firms reporting a deterioration of the credit score by a standard deviation are 36% less likely to pursue quality differentiation. The negative relation between credit constraints and quality differentiation is stronger for firms exporting to distant markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Ciani & Francesca Bartoli, 2020. "Export quality differentiation under credit constraints," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 1398-1433, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:43:y:2020:i:5:p:1398-1433
    DOI: 10.1111/twec.12938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gideon Ndubuisi, 2024. "Patent Enforcement and Quality Upgrading of Exported Products," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 13979-14011, September.
    2. Reto Foellmi & Stefan Legge & Alexa Tiemann, 2021. "Innovation and trade in the presence of credit constraints," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(3), pages 1168-1205, November.
    3. Unger, Florian, 2023. "Financial Development and Export Concentration," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277570, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    4. Renhao Chen & Helian Xu, 2024. "Supply Chain Relationships, Resilience, and Export Product Quality: Analysis Based on Supply Chain Concentration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Gideon Ndubuisi & Solomon Owusu, 2022. "Trust, Efficient Contracting and Export Upgrading," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(6), pages 2708-2729, December.
    6. Choi, ByeongHwa, 2023. "The impact of financial development on innovation-based exports: Do all firms benefit equally?," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 81-100.

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