What Makes a Successful Exporter?

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. We analyse a very rich and unique panel database which provides information on exports at the firm-product level. A stylised fact in the data is that many firms add as well as drop products from the export mix in any given year. Motivated by recent theory we investigate what determines the survival of products in the export mix. Estimating hazard models we find evidence that is consistent with the view that characteristics of the product as well as that of the firm matter. This suggests, in line with theory, that there are firm-as well as firm-product specific competencies that are important for shaping firms' export mix. Terms of use: Documents in JEL classification: F12, F14

Understanding Manufactured Exporters at the Firm‐Level: New Insights from Using SARS Administrative Data

“…Arkolakis and Muendler () find a positive association between the number of varieties exported and the destination country's market size). Due to the dynamic nature of exporting, firms' product mix changes, as product characteristics and firm characteristics change (Görg et al ., ). For example, Manova and Zhang () find that as firms become more able, they tend to focus on exporting higher quality (more expensive) products and dropping cheaper export products, as the former results in higher revenues.…”

The South African manufacturing exporter story

“…firms will export their top performing products to a more competitive market (Mayer et al 2011)); and market size (e.g., Arkolakis and Meundler (2010) find a positive association between the number of varieties exported and the destination country's market size). Due to the dynamic nature of exporting, firms' product mix changes, as product characteristics and firm characteristics change (Görg et al 2008). For example, Manova and Zhang (2012) find that as firms become more able, they tend to focus on exporting higher quality (more expensive) products and dropping cheaper export products, as the former results in higher revenues.…”

Export survival pattern and its determinants: an empirical study ofChinese manufacturing firms

“…Besedeš and Prusa (2006b) found that in the case of US import trade relationships, the hazard rate was at least 18 per cent higher for homogenous goods than for differentiated goods. Görg et al (2008) showed that firms with higher quality products are able to remain more competitive in international markets, and hence their export duration is longer. Unfortunately, from our database, we do not have a good measure to capture the heterogeneous characteristics of exports.…”