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Reaching Up and Reaching Out: The Impact of Competition on Firms’ Productivity and Export Decisions

Author

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  • Kate Hynes
  • Eric Evans Osei Opoku
  • Isabel K. M. Yan

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of competition in both the domestic and foreign markets on firm productivity and export decisions using firm level data from 139 countries. Using a Sample Selection Endogenous Treatment (SSET) Poisson model that tackles both the issue of endogenous sample selection and endogenous treatment at the same time, we document robust evidence that strong competition in the domestic market propels firms to be more productive, and rising domestic competition increases firms’ propensity to export. However, firms’ export intensity, i.e. how much they export, is not directly influenced by competition in the domestic market. Moreover, lower competition in the foreign market increases the propensity of domestic firms to export, enlarging the set of exporting firms to firms with relatively smaller export amount.

Suggested Citation

  • Kate Hynes & Eric Evans Osei Opoku & Isabel K. M. Yan, 2017. "Reaching Up and Reaching Out: The Impact of Competition on Firms’ Productivity and Export Decisions," Working Papers 201719, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucn:wpaper:201719
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10197/9093
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    Cited by:

    1. Kapri, Kul, 2021. "Court fairness and firm level export decisions," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 269-277.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Productivity; Export propensity; Export intensity; Competition; SSET-Poisson model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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