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Firm internationalization and performance: Evidence for designing policies

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  • Calabrese, Giuseppe Giulio
  • Manello, Alessandro

Abstract

The debate on the relationship between internationalization and performance is still open and is a hot topic for policymakers, but they ignore the impacts for most of the firms supported. The paper is based on a large database of seven years that considers quantitative-qualitative and control variables. To reduce industry and country heterogeneity we focused on the Italian automotive supply chain. We tested 5 modes of internationalization on firms’ profitability so to support the design of policies. Our results are partially in contrast with literature; therefore we identify specific environments where policies, namely for exporting, could be more effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Calabrese, Giuseppe Giulio & Manello, Alessandro, 2018. "Firm internationalization and performance: Evidence for designing policies," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 1221-1242.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jpolmo:v:40:y:2018:i:6:p:1221-1242
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2018.01.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Internationalization; Exporting; Firm performance; Design policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy

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