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Firm heterogeneity and aggregate business services exports: Micro evidence from Belgium, France, Germany and Spain

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Listed:
  • Andrea Ariu
  • Elena Biewen
  • Sven Blank
  • Guillaume Gaulier
  • María Jesus González
  • Philipp Meinen
  • Daniel Mirza
  • Cesar Martín
  • Patry Tello

Abstract

This paper uses detailed micro data on services exports at the firm–destination–service level to analyse the role of firm heterogeneity in shaping aggregate services exports in Belgium, France, Germany and Spain from 2003 to 2007. We decompose the level and the growth of aggregate services exports into different trade margins paying special attention to firm heterogeneity within countries. We find that the weak export growth of France is at least partly due to poor performance by small exporters. By contrast, small exporters are the most dynamic contributors to the aggregate exports of Belgium, Germany and Spain. Our results highlight the importance of firm heterogeneity in understanding aggregate export growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Ariu & Elena Biewen & Sven Blank & Guillaume Gaulier & María Jesus González & Philipp Meinen & Daniel Mirza & Cesar Martín & Patry Tello, 2019. "Firm heterogeneity and aggregate business services exports: Micro evidence from Belgium, France, Germany and Spain," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 564-589, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:42:y:2019:i:2:p:564-589
    DOI: 10.1111/twec.12707
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alessandro Moro & Enrico Tosti, 2020. "The determinants of service export behaviour in Italian non-financial firms," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 577, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    3. Sebastian Benz & Dorothée Rouzet & Francesca Spinelli, 2020. "Firm heterogeneity in services trade: Micro‐level evidence from eight OECD countries," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(11), pages 2905-2931, November.
    4. João Amador & Sónia Cabral & Birgitte Ringstad, 2019. "International trade in services: firm-level evidence for Portugal," Portuguese Economic Journal, Springer;Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestao, vol. 18(3), pages 127-163, October.
    5. José L. Groizard & Xisco Oliver & María Sard, 2022. "An account of the exporter wage gap: Wage structure and composition effects across the wage distribution," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 1528-1563, May.
    6. João Amador & Sónia Cabral & Birgitte Ringstad, 2018. "International trade in services: Evidence for Portuguese firms," Working Papers w201810, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.

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    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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