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Learning-by-exporting and innovation strategies

Author

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  • Hans Lööf
  • Pardis Nabavi Larijani
  • Gary Cook
  • Börje Johansson

Abstract

We examine the combined effect of exports, innovation and external knowledge on total factor productivity growth among manufacturing firms. This paper distinguishes between frequent and temporary exporters as well as between frequent and temporary innovators. Applying a dynamic approach on an unbalanced panel consisting of 8516 Swedish firms observed over a 12-year period, the results show that among firms with permanent presence in export markets, persistent innovators have 0.5% point higher annual productivity growth than non-innovative exporters and 0.4% higher growth compared to firms that switch between being innovative or not. A similar pattern is found for the group of companies that alternates between exporting and non-exporting; however, the differences in growth rates are not statistically significant. We also show that only persistently innovative exporters and exporters with a large fraction of exports in their sales benefit from their presence in the local milieu with high knowledge intensity.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Lööf & Pardis Nabavi Larijani & Gary Cook & Börje Johansson, 2015. "Learning-by-exporting and innovation strategies," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1-2), pages 52-64, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ecinnt:v:24:y:2015:i:1-2:p:52-64
    DOI: 10.1080/10438599.2014.897863
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    Cited by:

    1. Trinh, Long, 2015. "Dynamics of innovation and internationalization among Vietnamese SMEs," MPRA Paper 68308, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 26 Nov 2015.
    2. Hans Lööf & Ingrid Viklund‐Ros, 2020. "Board of directors and export spillovers: What is the impact on extensive margins of trade?," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 1188-1215, May.
    3. Ornella Wanda Maietta & Fernanda Mazzotta, 2018. "Firm Survival and Innovation: Knowledge Context Matters!," CSEF Working Papers 496, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    4. Stefano Iandolo & Anna Maria Ferragina, 2019. "Does persistence in internationalization and innovation influence firms’ performance?," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 46(7), pages 1345-1364, November.
    5. Esra Balli & Çiler Sigeze, 2017. "The Nexus Between Research And Development And Export Decision: The Case Of Turkey," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 11(1), pages 34-41, December.
    6. Claudio Fassio, 2018. "Export-led innovation: the role of export destinations," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 27(1), pages 149-171.
    7. Forgione, Antonio Fabio & Migliardo, Carlo, 2023. "Mafia risk perception: Evaluating the effect of organized crime on firm technical efficiency and investment proclivity," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    8. Cristiano Antonelli & Christophe Feder, 2021. "Schumpeterian loops in international trade: the evidence of the oecd countries," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 799-820, July.
    9. Trinh, Long Q., 2016. "Dynamics of Innovation and Internationalization among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Viet Nam," ADBI Working Papers 580, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    10. Cristiano Antonelli & Christophe Feder, 2021. "The Schumpeterian creative response: export and innovation: evidence for OECD countries 1995–2015," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(3), pages 803-821, October.
    11. Gregorio Sánchez-Marín & María Pemartín & Joaquín Monreal-Pérez, 2020. "The influence of family involvement and generational stage on learning-by-exporting among family firms," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 311-334, February.
    12. Fang Wang & Zhaoyuan Xu & Xiaoyong Dai, 2023. "Is learning by exporting technology specific? Evidence from Chinese firms," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 275-304, February.
    13. Josep Tomàs-Porres & Agustí Segarra-Blasco & Mercedes Teruel, 2023. "Export and variability in the innovative status," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 13(2), pages 257-279, June.

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