IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jincot/v24y2024i1d10.1007_s10842-024-00412-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Export Performance Under Imperfect Competition: Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Cameroon

Author

Listed:
  • Ariel Herbert Fambeu

    (University of Douala)

Abstract

We investigate the effect of domestic market concentration on firm-level export. While the national-champion rationale actually rests on firmer theoretical ground, the empirical literature generally supports the positive effects of domestic rivalry. We employ a dataset of manufacturing Cameroonian firms from 2009 and 2016 and use the probit and Tobit II estimates. We find no direct relationship between concentration and exports. However, we test whether economies of scale (through size), technological constraint (ICT), and foreign participation (FDI) can influence this relationship. The results show that through the adoption of ICT, the internal rivalry effect is operational. In low industrial concentration (in more competitive market), the most digital firms improve their international market share. Robustness tests (2SLS and fractional probit) confirm these results. Government needs to direct their policies towards increased firm digitalization in order to improve their competitiveness in foreign markets. In order to enhance the positive effects of these policies, the policies should be directed towards the least concentrated industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ariel Herbert Fambeu, 2024. "Export Performance Under Imperfect Competition: Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Cameroon," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jincot:v:24:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10842-024-00412-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10842-024-00412-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10842-024-00412-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10842-024-00412-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maman Setiawan & Nury Effendi, 2016. "Survey of the Industrial Concentration and Price-cost Margin of the Indonesian Manufacturing Industry," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(1), pages 123-146, March.
    2. Leo Sleuwaegen & Peter M. Smith, 2021. "Service characteristics and the choice between exports and FDI: Evidence from Belgian firms," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 168, pages 115-131.
    3. Joe S. Bain, 1951. "Relation of Profit Rate to Industry Concentration: American Manufacturing, 1936–1940," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 65(3), pages 293-324.
    4. White, Lawrence J, 1974. "Industrial Organization and International Trade: Some Theoretical Considerations," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 64(6), pages 1013-1020, December.
    5. Fernandes, Ana M. & Mattoo, Aaditya & Nguyen, Huy & Schiffbauer, Marc, 2019. "The internet and Chinese exports in the pre-ali baba era," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 57-76.
    6. Khan, Habib Hussain & Kutan, Ali M. & Naz, Iram & Qureshi, Fiza, 2017. "Efficiency, growth and market power in the banking industry: New approach to efficient structure hypothesis," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 531-545.
    7. Eva Hagsten & Patricia Kotnik, 2017. "ICT as facilitator of internationalisation in small- and medium-sized firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 431-446, February.
    8. Mirabelle Muûls & Mauro Pisu, 2009. "Imports and Exports at the Level of the Firm: Evidence from Belgium," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 692-734, May.
    9. Marjit, Sugata & Ray, Moushakhi, 2021. "Competition, asset build up and export incentives: The role of imperfect credit market," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    10. Bernard, Andrew B. & Bradford Jensen, J., 1999. "Exceptional exporter performance: cause, effect, or both?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 1-25, February.
    11. Jan Keil, 2019. "Is there a causal effect of concentration on persistent profitability differentials?," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 28(2), pages 241-257.
    12. Charles DeLorme & Peter Klein & David Kamerschen & Lisa Ford Voeks, 2003. "Structure, conduct and performance: a simultaneous equations approach," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 13-20.
    13. Philippe Aghion & Nick Bloom & Richard Blundell & Rachel Griffith & Peter Howitt, 2005. "Competition and Innovation: an Inverted-U Relationship," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(2), pages 701-728.
    14. Gupta, Vinod K, 1983. "A Simultaneous Determination of Structure, Conduct and Performance in Canadian Manufacturing," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 281-301, July.
    15. Sahoo, Pravakar & Dash, Ranjan Kumar, 2022. "Does FDI have differential impacts on exports? Evidence from developing countries," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 227-237.
    16. Marvel, Howard P, 1980. "Foreign Trade and Domestic Competition," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 18(1), pages 103-122, January.
    17. Aidan Hollis, 2003. "Industrial Concentration, Output, and Trade: An Empirical Exploration," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 22(2), pages 103-119, March.
    18. Heckman, James, 2013. "Sample selection bias as a specification error," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 31(3), pages 129-137.
    19. Maria Bramati & Alberto Gaggero & Edna Solomon, 2015. "International Trade and Domestic Competition: Evidence from Belgium," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 46(4), pages 383-399, June.
    20. Peter J. Klenow & Huiyu Li & Theodore Naff, 2019. "Is Rising Concentration Hampering Productivity Growth?," FRBSF Economic Letter, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    21. Pravakar Sahoo & Ranjan Kumar Dash, 2022. "Does FDI have differential impacts on exports? Evidence from developing countries," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 172, pages 227-237.
    22. Vincent Boitier, 2022. "Why do similar firms export differently?," Post-Print hal-04204655, HAL.
    23. Ramdani, Boumediene & Belaid, Fateh & Boukrami, Elias, 2022. "Profiling exporting SMEs: The role of innovation-orientation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 1-13.
    24. Sandwip Kumar Das & Manoj Pant, 2006. "Measuring market imperfection in the manufacturing sector: Theory and evidence from India," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 63-79.
    25. Bikker, Jacob A. & Haaf, Katharina, 2002. "Competition, concentration and their relationship: An empirical analysis of the banking industry," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 26(11), pages 2191-2214, November.
    26. Mariko Sakakibara & Michael E. Porter, 2001. "Competing At Home To Win Abroad: Evidence From Japanese Industry," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 83(2), pages 310-322, May.
    27. Kris Iyer, 2010. "The Determinants of Firm-Level Export Intensity in New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry ," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 90-101, March.
    28. Khan, Habib Hussain & Ahmad, Rubi Binti & Chan, Sok Gee, 2018. "Market structure, bank conduct and bank performance: Evidence from ASEAN," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 934-958.
    29. Marc J. Melitz, 2003. "The Impact of Trade on Intra-Industry Reallocations and Aggregate Industry Productivity," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 71(6), pages 1695-1725, November.
    30. Khan, Habib Hussain & Kutan, Ali M., 2021. "Testing the structure-conduct-performance relationship for ASEAN: Addressing the issues in the panel mediation," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    31. Audretsch, David B. & Belitski, Maksim & Chowdhury, Farzana & Desai, Sameeksha, 2022. "CEO gender, institutional context and firm exports," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    32. Roberts, Mark J & Tybout, James R, 1997. "The Decision to Export in Colombia: An Empirical Model of Entry with Sunk Costs," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(4), pages 545-564, September.
    33. Chou, Tein-Chen, 1986. "Concentration, Profitability and Trade in a Simultaneous Equation Analysis: The Case of Taiwan," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(4), pages 429-443, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Maria Bramati & Alberto Gaggero & Edna Solomon, 2015. "International Trade and Domestic Competition: Evidence from Belgium," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 46(4), pages 383-399, June.
    2. Joseph A. Clougherty & Anming Zhang, 2009. "Domestic rivalry and export performance: theory and evidence from international airline markets," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 42(2), pages 440-468, May.
    3. Eric E. O. Opoku & Isabel K. M. Yan & Kate Hynes, 2020. "Reaching up and reaching out: The impact of competition on firms’ productivity and export decisions," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 69-101, February.
    4. Dolores Añón Higón & Daniel Bonvin, 2024. "Digitalization and trade participation of SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(3), pages 857-877, March.
    5. Marco Grazzi & Nanditha Mathew & Daniele Moschella, 2021. "Making one’s own way: jumping ahead in the capability space and exporting among Indian firms," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 931-957, July.
    6. Marco Grazzi & Nanditha Mathew & Daniele Moschella, 2017. "Efficiency, innovation, and imported inputs: determinants of export performance among Indian manufacturing firms," LEM Papers Series 2017/09, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    7. Senol Babuşçu & Adalet Hazar & M. Nihat Solakoglu & Cengiz Tunc, 2019. "Sector-Level Competition and Export: Evidence from Exporter Dynamics Database," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(03), pages 1-18, October.
    8. Güzin Bayar, 2018. "Estimating export equations: a survey of the literature," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 629-672, March.
    9. Richard Harris & John Moffat, 2011. "R&D, Innovation and Exporting," SERC Discussion Papers 0073, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    10. Maria Bas & Vanessa Strauss-Kahn, 2014. "Does importing more inputs raise exports? Firm-level evidence from France," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 150(2), pages 241-275, May.
    11. Dalgic, Basak & Fazlioglu, Burcu & Gasiorek, Michael, 2015. "Costs of trade and self-selection into exporting and importing: The case of Turkish manufacturing firms," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 9, pages 1-28.
    12. Franco, Chiara & Sasidharan, Subash, 2010. "MNEs, technological efforts and channels of export spillover: An analysis of Indian manufacturing industries," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 270-288, September.
    13. Bas, Maria, 2012. "Input-trade liberalization and firm export decisions: Evidence from Argentina," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 481-493.
    14. Jonas Onkelinx & Leo Sleuwaegen, 2010. "Internationalization strategy and performance of small and medium sized enterprises," Working Paper Research 197, National Bank of Belgium.
    15. Haeng-Sun KIM, 2016. "Firms' leverage and export market participation: Evidence from South Korea," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 148, pages 41-58.
    16. Başak Dalgıç & Burcu Fazlıoğlu & Michael Gasiorek, 2015. "Export Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Turkey," Working Papers 2015/08, Turkish Economic Association.
    17. Viroj Jienwatcharamongkhol & Sam Tavassoli, 2015. "Closing the gap: empirical evidence on firms’ innovation, productivity and exports," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Urban Gråsjö & Sofia Wixe (ed.), Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy, chapter 12, pages 281-309, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    18. Murat Şeker, 2012. "Importing, Exporting, and Innovation in Developing Countries," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(2), pages 299-314, May.
    19. Francesco Serti & Chiara Tomasi, 2009. "Self-selection along different export and import markets," LEM Papers Series 2009/18, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    20. Chen, Maggie Xiaoyang & Moore, Michael O., 2010. "Location decision of heterogeneous multinational firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(2), pages 188-199, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industrial concentration; Competition; Exports; Cameroon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:jincot:v:24:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10842-024-00412-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.