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Multinational companies and productivity spillovers: is there a specification error?

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  • Davide Castellani
  • Antonello Zanfei

Abstract

Recent empirical works on the within-sector impact of inward investments on domestic firms' productivity have found rather robust evidence of no (or even negative) effects. We suggest that, among other reasons, a specification error might explain some of these results. A more general specification, which includes the usual one as a special case, is proposed. Using data on Italian manufacturing firms in 1992-2000, we find positive externalities only once we allow for the more flexible specification.

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  • Davide Castellani & Antonello Zanfei, 2007. "Multinational companies and productivity spillovers: is there a specification error?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(14), pages 1047-1051.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:14:y:2007:i:14:p:1047-1051
    DOI: 10.1080/13504850600706503
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