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Learning to Export: Evidence from Moroccan Manufacturing

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Author Info
Marcel Fafchamps (Centre for the Study of African Economies)
Said El Hamine (Ministere du Commerce, Rabat, Morocco)
Albert Zeufack (The World Bank)

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Abstract

This paper tests two alternative models of learning to export: producitivity learning, whereby firms learn to reduce production costs, and market learning, whereby firms learn to design products that appeal to foreign consumers. Using panel and cross-reaction data on Moroccan manufacturers, we uncover evidence of market learning but little evidence of productivity learning. These findings are consistent with the concentration of Moroccan manufacturing exports in consumer items, i.e. the garment, textile, and leather sectors. It is the young firms that export. Most do so immediately after creation. We also find that, among exporters, new products are exported very rapidly after production has begun. The share of exported output nevertheless increases for 2-3 years after a new product is introduced. Old firms are unlikely to switch to exports, even in response to changes in macro incentives. We find a positive relationship between exports and productivity and conclude that it is the result of self-selection: it is the more productive firms that move into exports. Policy implications are discussed.

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Paper provided by EconWPA in its series Development and Comp Systems with number 0409049.

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Length: 45 pages
Date of creation: 28 Sep 2004
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Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpdc:0409049

Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 45
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Web page: http://129.3.20.41

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O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth
P - Economic Systems

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  1. Benhassine, Najy & Fafchamps, Marcel & Söderbom, Måns, 2006. "Wage Gaps and Job Sorting in African Manufacturing," CEPR Discussion Papers 6003, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Marcel Fafchamps & Måns Söderbom, 2004. "Wages and Labor Management in African Manufacturing," Development and Comp Systems 0409043, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Arne Bigsten & Paul Collier & Stefan Dercon & Marcel Fachamps & Bernard Gauthier & Jan Willem Gunning & Abena Oduro & Remco Oostendorp & Catherine Pattillo & Mans Soderbom & Francis Teal & Albert Zeuf, 2004. "Do African manufacturing firms learn from exporting?," Development and Comp Systems 0409071, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Kazuhiko Yokota & Akinori Tomohara, 2009. "Extending the Learning-By-Exporting Hypothesis: Introducing a Credit Constraint," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 169-177, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Harabi, Najib, 2003. "Déterminants de la croissance des entreprises: Une analyse empirique du Maroc
    [Determinants of Firm Growth: An Empirical Analysis from Morocco]    ," MPRA Paper 4440, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  6. Edwards, Lawrence & Rankin, Neil A. & Schöer, Volker, 2008. "South African exporting firms: What do we know and what should we know?," MPRA Paper 16906, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  7. Albert Park & Dean Yang & Xinzheng Shi & Yuan Jiang, 2006. "Exporting and Firm Performance: Chinese Exporters and the Asian Financial Crisis," Working Papers 549, Research Seminar in International Economics, University of Michigan. [Downloadable!]
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  8. Johannes Van Biesebroeck, 2003. "Exporting Raises Productivity in Sub-Saharan African Manufacturing Plants," NBER Working Papers 10020, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  9. Fernandes, Ana M. & Isgut, Alberto E., 2005. "Learning-by-doing, learning-by-exporting, and productivity : evidence from Colombia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3544, The World Bank. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  10. Harabi, Najib, 2005. "Determinants of Firm Growth: An Empirical Analysis from Morocco," MPRA Paper 4394, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
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