Detecting Learning by Exporting

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: De Loecker, Jan
• 署名单位: Princeton University; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-MICROECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7669
• DOI: 10.1257/mic.5.3.1
• 发表日期: 2013
• 页码: 1-21
• 关键词: trade liberalization; PRODUCTIVITY; inputs; IMPACT

摘要

Learning by exporting refers to the mechanism whereby a firm's performance improves after entering export markets. This mechanism is often mentioned in policy documents, but many econometric studies have not found corroborating evidence. I show that the econometric methods rely on an assumption that productivity evolves exogenously. I show how to accommodate endogenous productivity processes, such as learning by exporting. I discuss the bias introduced by ignoring such a process, and show that adjusting for it can lead to different conclusions. Using micro data from Slovenia, I find evidence of substantial productivity gains from entering export markets.