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Unobserved firm heterogeneity and the size-exports nexus: Evidence from German panel data

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  • Joachim Wagner

Abstract

This paper starts from the stylized fact that firm size and exporting tends to be positively related. Using large sets of establishment panel data for three different industries from official statistics evidence is presented that the familiar picture of an export/sales ratio that ceteris paribus increases (at a decreasing rate) with firm size vanishes if unobserved firm heterogeneity is controlled for in a fixed effects fractional logit regression model. This finding is well in line with the fact that many small firms are "hidden export champions". Das Papier geht von dem stilisierten Faktum aus, dass Unternehmensgröße und Exportorientierung positiv miteinander zusammenhängen. Auf der Grundlage eines umfangreichen Betriebsdatensatzes der amtlichen Statistik für drei Zweige des Verarbeitenden Gewerbes wird dieser Zusammenhang in einem fraktionalen logit Regressionsmodell mit fixed effects näher untersucht. Dabei verschwindet das gewohnte Bild einer degressiv mit der Betriebsgröße steigenden Exportquote, wenn die unbeobachtete Heterogenität der Betriebe kontrolliert wird. Dies Ergebnis stimmt gut mit der Tatsache überein, dass viele kleinere Firmen als "hidden export champions" anzusehen sind.
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Suggested Citation

  • Joachim Wagner, 2003. "Unobserved firm heterogeneity and the size-exports nexus: Evidence from German panel data," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 139(1), pages 161-172, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:weltar:v:139:y:2003:i:1:p:161-172
    DOI: 10.1007/BF02659612
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory

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