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Trade networks and the productivity of MENA firms in global value chains

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Listed:
  • Ayadi, Rym
  • Giovannetti, Giorgia
  • Marvasi, Enrico
  • Zaki, Chahir

Abstract

Global Value Chain (GVC) participation is typically associated with a productivity premium, yet similar firms can benefit differently depending on the possibility for creating production linkages offered by their countries’ involvement in trade. We show that country-sector intermediate trade network centrality is also positively associated with firms’ productivity, suggesting that the connectivity of the business environment may enhance productivity on top of direct firm-level involvement in GVCs. For a large cross-section of MENA countries included in the World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES), we find evidence of productivity premia using several firm-level GVC participation measures and network centrality indicators constructed from the EORA input-output tables. Centrality is also positively associated with firms’ productivity, adding to the direct effect of GVC participation. Our results are confirmed using OLS, multi-level models, Propensity Score Matching techniques, and a Shift-Share instrumental variable approach which help addressing endogeneity issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayadi, Rym & Giovannetti, Giorgia & Marvasi, Enrico & Zaki, Chahir, 2024. "Trade networks and the productivity of MENA firms in global value chains," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 10-23.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:69:y:2024:i:c:p:10-23
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2023.11.014
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global value chains; Trade networks; Productivity; Firm heterogeneity; MENA region;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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