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Transport infraestructure, sunk costs and firms' export behaviour

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Abstract

Transport infrastructure investment reduces the cost of distance and enables firms to establish contacts over larger distances. We study the impact of transport-cost reductions on firms’ export behaviour, accounting for the role of entry costs and other firms’ characteristics. Using Spanish data we estimate dynamic probability models controlling for firms’ unobserved heterogeneity and for the simultaneity of firms’ export and location decisions. Our results provide support for a positive effect of domestic transport improvements on firms’ exporting probability for small and medium sized firms. We find a strong effect of previous export experience, suggesting high entry costs into export markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Albarrán, Pedro, 2009. "Transport infraestructure, sunk costs and firms' export behaviour," UC3M Working papers. Economics we092213, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    • Handle: RePEc:cte:werepe:we092213
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fabling, Richard & Grimes, Arthur & Sanderson, Lynda, 2013. "Any port in a storm: Impacts of new port infrastructure on exporter behaviour," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(1), pages 33-47.
    3. Eddy Bekkers, 2011. "Heterogeneous Popularity and Exporting Uncertainty," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 797-824, November.
    4. Richard Fabling & Arthur Grimes & Lynda Sanderson, 2011. "Any port in a storm? The impact of new port infrastructure on New Zealand exporter behaviour," Reserve Bank of New Zealand Discussion Paper Series DP2011/01, Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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