Learning to import from your peers

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bisztray, Marta; Koren, Miklos; Szeidl, Adam
• 署名单位: Central European University; HUN-REN; HUN-REN Centre for Economic & Regional Studies; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-1996
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2018.09.010
• 发表日期: 2018
• 页码: 242-258
• 关键词: imports; peer effects; Spatial spillovers; Manager networks; Social multiplier

摘要

We use firm-level data from Hungary to estimate knowledge spillovers in importing through fine spatial and managerial networks. By identifying from variation in peers' import experience across source countries, by comparing the spillover from neighboring buildings with a cross-street placebo, and by exploiting plausibly exogenous firm moves, we obtain credible estimates and establish three results. (1) There are significant knowledge spillovers in both spatial and managerial networks. Having a peer which has imported from a particular country more than doubles the probability of starting to import from that country, but the effect quickly decays with distance. (2) Spillovers are heterogeneous: they are stronger when firms or peers are larger or more productive, and exhibit complementarities in firm and peer productivity. (3) The model-implied social multiplier is highly skewed, implying that targeting an import-encouragement policy to firms with many and productive neighbors can make it 26% more effective. These results highlight the benefit of firm clusters in facilitating the diffusion of business practices. (C) 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.