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Importing and Firm Productivity in Ethiopian Manufacturing

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  • Kaleb Girma Abreha

Abstract

This paper investigates the causal relationship between importing and firm productivity. Using a rich dataset from Ethiopian manufacturing over the period 1996–2011, I find that most firms rely on production inputs from the world market. These firms are better performing as shown by significant, economically large import premia. I also find strong evidence of self-selection of more productive firms into importing which is indicative of sizable import market entry costs. To examine the causal effect of importing on firm productivity, I use a model in which the static and dynamic effects of importing are separately estimated. The estimation results provide support to learning-by-importing. However, the productivity gains are small in size compared to similar findings in other studies. I provide some evidence in support of firms’ limited absorptive capacity in explaining the small productivity gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaleb Girma Abreha, 2019. "Importing and Firm Productivity in Ethiopian Manufacturing," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 33(3), pages 772-792.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:wbecrv:v:33:y:2019:i:3:p:772-792.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/wber/lhx009
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Segundo Camino-Mogro & Mary Armijos & Paul Vera-Gilces, 2022. "High-growth firms and international trade: evidence from Ecuador," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 299-332, January.
    2. Abdullah Altun & Ilker Ibrahim Avsar & Taner Turan & Halit Yanikkaya, 2023. "Does global value chain participation boost high technology exports?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(5), pages 820-837, July.
    3. Lawrence Edwards & Marco Sanfilippo & Asha Sundaram, 2020. "Importing and Productivity: An Analysis of South African Manufacturing Firms," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 57(2), pages 411-432, September.
    4. Segundo Camino‐Mogro & Paul Carrillo‐Maldonado, 2023. "Do imports of intermediate inputs generate higher productivity? Evidence from Ecuadorian manufacturing firms," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(5), pages 1471-1521, May.
    5. Moges Tufa & Mans Söderbom & Zerayehu Sime, 2023. "The Impact of Sector-Specific Industrial Policy on Manufacturing Firm Performance: Quasi-experimental Evidence from Ethiopian Chemical Industries," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 363-397, December.
    6. Li, Yifan & Miao, Zhuang, 2024. "The rise of superstar firms in the United States: The role of global sourcing," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 113-144.
    7. Eyayu Tesfaye Mulugeta & Måns Söderbom, 2024. "Imported inputs and firm productivity: does foreign ownership matter?," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 685-704, July.

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