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The Effect of Export Promotion on Firm-Level Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Jakob Munch
  • Georg Schaur

Abstract

Most countries promote exports. This paper answers two questions: Does export promotion improve firm performance, and do any benefits outweigh costs? We solve self-selection problems by accounting for an extensive set of firm characteristics. In addition, we distinguish firms that self-selected into promotion services from firms the Danish Trade Council approached based on observed information. We find that export promotion increases sales, value added, employment, and value added per worker. For small firms, summing expenditures on export promotion, subsidies, and tax distortions, the gain in value added is roughly three times higher than the direct costs of export promotion.

Suggested Citation

  • Jakob Munch & Georg Schaur, 2018. "The Effect of Export Promotion on Firm-Level Performance," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 10(1), pages 357-387, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:10:y:2018:i:1:p:357-87
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/pol.20150410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L53 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Enterprise Policy

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