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The productivity and export spillovers of the internationalisation behaviour of Belgian firms

Author

Listed:
  • Michel Dumont

    (Federal Planning Bureau)

  • Bruno Merlevede

    (UGent
    HUBrussel)

  • Christophe Piette

    (National Bank of Belgium, Research Department)

  • Glenn Rayp

    (UGent, Sherppa)

Abstract

This paper analyses to what extent the decision to start exporting may be subject to spillovers of the internationalisation behaviour of other (foreign and domestic) firms. We distinguish between two possible channels: effects on productivity and effects on the perceived level of sunk costs of exporting. For both channels, we consider geographical and activity or industry-based linkages between firms. For a sample Belgian firms we find evidence of significant spillovers on productivity as well as productivity-independent spillovers on the decision to start exporting. Spillovers seem more substantial in the geographical dimension than in terms of competitor, client or supplier links, except for the impact of multinationals on the productivity of domestic firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Michel Dumont & Bruno Merlevede & Christophe Piette & Glenn Rayp, 2010. "The productivity and export spillovers of the internationalisation behaviour of Belgian firms," Working Paper Research 201, National Bank of Belgium.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbb:reswpp:201010-201
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jianhua Duan & Kuntal K. Das & Laura Meriluoto & W. Robert Reed, 2019. "Spillovers and Exports: A Meta-Analysis," Working Papers in Economics 19/19, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    2. Gábor Békés & Péter Harasztosi, 2020. "Machine imports, technology adoption, and local spillovers," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 156(2), pages 343-375, May.
    3. 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.
    4. Jianhua Duan & Kuntal K. Das & Laura Meriluoto & W. Robert Reed, 2020. "Estimating the effect of spillovers on exports: a meta-analysis," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 156(2), pages 219-249, May.
    5. Bisztray, Márta & Koren, Miklós & Szeidl, Adam, 2018. "Learning to import from your peers," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 242-258.
    6. Péter Harasztosi, 2016. "Export spillovers in Hungary," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 50(3), pages 801-830, May.
    7. Carlos Enrique Cardoso Vargas, 2017. "Does the type of neighbor matter? Heterogeneous export spillovers on domestic companies in Mexico," Estudios Económicos, El Colegio de México, Centro de Estudios Económicos, vol. 32(2), pages 255-292.
    8. Shahid Yusuf, 2014. "Middle East Transitions: A Long, Hard Road," IMF Working Papers 2014/135, International Monetary Fund.
    9. E. Dhyne & L. Dresse & C. Fuss & Ch. Piette, 2011. "Behaviour of Belgian firms in the context of globalisation : lessons from the conference on “International Trade : Threats and Opportunities in a Globalised World”," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue i, pages 73-88, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Export; FDI; spillovers; sunk cost; region;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business

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