Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.23895/kdijep.2021.43.4.1

Learning-to-export Effect as a Response to Export Opportunities: Micro-evidence from Korean Manufacturing  

HAHN, CHIN HEE (Department of Economics, Gachon University)
CHOI, YONG-SEOK (Department of Economics, Kyung Hee University)
Publication Information
KDI Journal of Economic Policy / v.43, no.4, 2021 , pp. 1-21 More about this Journal
Abstract
This paper aims to investigate whether there is empirical evidence supporting the learning-to-export hypothesis, which has received little attention in the literature. By taking full advantage of plant-product level data from Korea during 1990-1998, we find some evidence for the learning-to-export effect, especially for the innovated product varieties with delayed exporters: their productivity, together with research and development and investment activity, was superior to their matched sample. On the other hand, this learning-to-export effect was not significantly pronounced for industries protected by import tariffs. Thus, our empirical findings suggest that it would be desirable to implement certain policy tools to promote the learning-to-export effect, whereas tariff protection is not justifiable for that purpose.
Keywords
Learning-to-export; Difference-in-differences; Matching;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Bernard, A. B., J. Eaton, B. J. Jensen, and S. Kortum. 2003. "Plants and Productivity in International Trade," American Economic Review, 93(4): 1268-1290.   DOI
2 Bernard, A. B., B. J. Jensen, and P. K. Schott. 2006. "Trade Costs, Firms and Productivity," Journal of Monetary Economics, 53(5): 917-937.   DOI
3 Chun, Hyunbae, Jung Hur, Nyeong Seon Son, and Haeyeon Yoon. 2019. "Do non-exporting plants benefit from exporting peer plants?" Asian Economic Journal, 33(3): 221-234.   DOI
4 De Loecker, J. K. 2007. "Do Exports Generate Higher Productivity? Evidence from Slovenia," Journal of International Economics, 73(1): 69-98.   DOI
5 Eliasson, K., P. Hansson, and M. Lindvert. 2012. "Do Firms Learn by Exporting or Learn to Export? Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Small Business Economics, 39(2): 453-472.   DOI
6 Girma, S., D. Greenaway, and R. Kneller. 2002. "Does Exporting Lead to Better Performance? A Micro Econometric Analysis of Matched Firms," GEP Working Paper No. 2002/09, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
7 Greenaway, D. and R. Kneller. 2007. "Firm Heterogeneity, Exporting and Foreign Direct Investment," The Economic Journal, 117(517): F134-F161.   DOI
8 Heckman, J. J., H. Ichimura, and P. E. Todd. 1997. "Matching as an Econometric Evaluation Estimator: Evidence from Evaluating a Job Training Programme," Review of Economic Studies, 64(4): 605-654.   DOI
9 Hahn, C. H. 2005. "Exporting and Performance of Plants: Evidence from Korean Manufacturing," in T. Ito and A. K. Rose (eds.) International Trade in East Asia. University of Chicago Press: Chicago: 53-80.
10 Kasahara, Hiroyuki and Joel Rodrigue. 2008. "Does the use of imported intermediates increase productivity? Plant-level evidence," Journal of Development Economics, 87: 106-118.   DOI
11 Lopez, R. A. 2004. "Self-Selection into the Export Markets: A Conscious Decision?" mimeo, Department of Economics, Indiana University.
12 Ma, Y., H. Tang, and Y. Zhang. 2014. "Factor Intensity, Product Switching, and Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Exporters," Journal of International Economics, 92: 349-362.   DOI
13 Melitz, M. J. 2003. "The Impact of Trade on Intra-Industry Reallocations and Aggregate Industry Productivity," Econometrica, 71(6): 1695-1725.   DOI
14 Slaughter, M. J. 2004. "Infant-Industry Protection and Trade Liberalization in Developing Countries," Research Report submitted to USAID, Washington D.C., United States of America.
15 Van Biesebroeck, J. 2005. "Exporting Raises Productivity in Sub-Saharan African Manufacturing Firms," Journal of International Economics, 67(2): 373-391.   DOI
16 Wagner, J. 2012. "International Trade and Firm Performance: a Survey of Empirical Studies since 2006," Review of World Economy, 148: 235-267.   DOI
17 Ahn, Jae Bin and Moon Jung Choi. 2020. "From firm-level imports to aggregate productivity: Evidence from Korean manufacturing firm data," Japan and the World Economy, 56(c), 2020.
18 Albornoz, F. and M. Ercolani. 2007. "Learning-by-Exporting: Do Firm Characteristics Matter? Evidence from Argentinian Panel Data," Discussion Papers, Department of Economics, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
19 Aw, B. Y., M. J. Roberts, and D. Y. Xu. 2011. "R&D Investment, Exporting and Productivity Dynamics," American Economic Review, 101(4): 1312-1344.   DOI
20 Alvarez, R. and R. A. Lopez. 2005. "Exporting and Performance: Evidence from Chilean Plants," Canadian Journal of Economics, 38(4): 1384-1400.   DOI
21 Bernard, A. B. and B. J. Jensen. 1995. "Exporters, Jobs, and Wages in U.S. Manufacturing: 1976-1987," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Microeconomics, 26(1995): 67-119.   DOI
22 Bernard, A. B. and B. J. Jensen. 1999. "Exceptional Exporter Performance: Cause, Effect, or Both?" Journal of International Economics, 47(1): 1-25.   DOI
23 Levinsohn, J. and A. Petrin. 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," Review of Economic Studies, 70(2): 317-341.   DOI
24 Hahn, C. H. 2012. "Learning-by-Exporting, Introduction of New Products, and Product Rationalization: Evidence from Korean Manufacturing," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, 12(1): 1-37.