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Domestic transport infrastructure and firms’ export market participation

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  • Pedro Albarran
  • Raquel Carrasco
  • Adelheid Holl

Abstract

Investment in transport infrastructure reduces the cost of distance and enables firms to establish contacts over larger distances. Using data from a panel of Spanish manufacturing firms and geographic information system techniques, this article studies the impact of domestic transport cost reductions on firms’ export market participation, taking into account the role of entry costs and other firm characteristics. We estimate dynamic probability models, controlling for the unobserved heterogeneity of firms and for the simultaneity of firms’ export and location decisions. Our results demonstrate a positive effect of domestic transport infrastructure improvements on small and medium-sized firms’ probability of exporting. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Albarran & Raquel Carrasco & Adelheid Holl, 2013. "Domestic transport infrastructure and firms’ export market participation," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 879-898, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:40:y:2013:i:4:p:879-898
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-011-9393-9
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    6. Yasir Khan & Taimoor Hassan & Cai Shukai & Hana Oubaih & Muhammad Nisar Khan & Jawed Kootwal & Ubaid Ur Rahman Rehimi, 2022. "The nexus between infrastructure development, economic growth, foreign direct investment, and trade: an empirical investigation from China’s regional trade data," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(7), pages 1-31, July.
    7. Coşar, A. Kerem & Demir, Banu, 2016. "Domestic road infrastructure and international trade: Evidence from Turkey," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 232-244.
    8. Child, John & Karmowska, Joanna & Shenkar, Oded, 2022. "The role of context in SME internationalization – A review," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    9. Haddoud, Mohamed Yacine & Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Nowiński, Witold & Jones, Paul, 2021. "The determinants of SMEs’ export entry: A systematic review of the literature," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 262-278.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Export decisions; Road transport infrastructure; Accessibility; Dynamic panel data; Geographic information systems; F14; R1; R4; L26;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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