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Information, Perceptions and Exporting - Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

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  • Breinlich, H
  • Donaldson, D
  • Nolen, PJ
  • Wright, GC

Abstract

We present novel evidence from the results of a randomized controlled trial on the role that information plays in the perceptions of the benefits and costs of exporting. We first present results from a baseline survey of approximately 1,000 UK manufacturing firms to show that non-exporters hold substantially more negative beliefs about the costs and benefits of exporting relative to exporters. We then explore the extent to which these differences in perceptions are due to a biased understanding of the true costs and benefits of exporting on the part of non-exporters, or are instead a reflection of underlying differences in performance characteristics across firms, the view assumed by most theories of international trade. To do this, we make targeted information available to a randomly selected subset of these firms in the form of information from the UK's export promotion agency about the benefits and costs of exporting. The results of our intervention reveal a surprising, asymmetric response on the part of exporters and non-exporters. Instead of revising their negative perceptions upward, treated non-exporters become more likely to report lower perceived benefits and higher perceived barriers compared to non-treated non-exporters. In contrast, the attitudes of existing exporters improve. We discuss different behavioral and non-behavioral explanations for this result and highlight possible implications for export promotion policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Breinlich, H & Donaldson, D & Nolen, PJ & Wright, GC, 2017. "Information, Perceptions and Exporting - Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial," Economics Discussion Papers 16005, University of Essex, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:esx:essedp:16005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew B. Bernard & J. Bradford Jensen & Stephen J. Redding & Peter K. Schott, 2007. "Firms in International Trade," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 105-130, Summer.
    2. Javorcik, Beata & Iacovone, Leonardo, 2012. "Getting Ready: Preparation for Exporting," CEPR Discussion Papers 8926, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Sanghamitra Das & Mark J. Roberts & James R. Tybout, 2007. "Market Entry Costs, Producer Heterogeneity, and Export Dynamics," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 75(3), pages 837-873, May.
    4. Handley, Kyle, 2014. "Exporting under trade policy uncertainty: Theory and evidence," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(1), pages 50-66.
    5. Jeffrey R Kling & Jeffrey B Liebman & Lawrence F Katz, 2007. "Experimental Analysis of Neighborhood Effects," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 75(1), pages 83-119, January.
    6. Marc J. Melitz, 2003. "The Impact of Trade on Intra-Industry Reallocations and Aggregate Industry Productivity," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 71(6), pages 1695-1725, November.
    7. Roberts, Mark J & Tybout, James R, 1997. "The Decision to Export in Colombia: An Empirical Model of Entry with Sunk Costs," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(4), pages 545-564, September.
    8. Claudio Labanca & Danielken Molina & Marc-Andreas Muendler, 2013. "Preparing to Export," NBER Working Papers 18962, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stjepan Srhoj & Vanja Vitezic & Joachim Wagner, 2020. "Export boosting policies and firm behaviour: Review of empirical evidence around the world," Working Paper Series in Economics 395, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    2. Olarreaga, Marcelo & Sperlich, Stefan & Trachsel, Virginie, 2016. "Export Promotion: what works?," CEPR Discussion Papers 11270, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Yu Ri Kim & Yasuyuki Todo & Daichi Shimamoto & Petr Matous, 2018. "Are seminars on export promotion effective? Evidence from a randomised controlled trial," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(11), pages 2954-2982, November.
    4. Kotorri Mrika & Krasniqi Besnik A., 2018. "Managerial Characteristics and Export Performance – Empirical Evidence from Kosovo," South East European Journal of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 32-48, December.

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    Keywords

    Exporting; Information; Perceptions; RCTs;
    All these keywords.

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