IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/foeste/v25y2025i1p354-374n1018.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Complementarity Effect of Intensive and Extensive Margins of Exports Diversification on Growth: Empirical Evidence from Nigerian Data

Author

Listed:
  • Young Ademola

    (College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Mountain Top University, Nigeria)

  • Ogbaro Eyitayo

    (Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria)

  • Ologundudu Mojeed

    (College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Mountain Top University, Nigeria)

Abstract

Research background Two main theoretical patterns of exports diversification have evolved in development economics: the intensive- and extensive-export margins. Myriads of studies have assessed the relative merits of both patterns of diversification in promoting economic growth. Empirical literature, however, has thus far produced mixed and inconclusive results. Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of complementarity between the aforementioned patterns of exports diversification on economic growth in Nigeria. Research methodology The study utilized the dynamic linear autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing procedure for the time-series analysis covering the period 1960–2022. Results Empirical results revealed that both patterns of diversification significantly reinforce each other and jointly exert a strong positive effect on growth. These findings have numerous insightful and far-reaching policy implications. First, to maximize the growth-enhancing effect of export diversification patterns, both margins should not be considered in isolation. Second, apt simultaneous policies are needed to strengthen/enhance their effects on growth. Novelty To date, there has been almost no attention paid in the literature to the complementarity impact of both patterns of diversification in advancing growth (as existing studies largely focus on individual impacts of extensive and intensive margins on growth). This study accordingly fills this research gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Young Ademola & Ogbaro Eyitayo & Ologundudu Mojeed, 2025. "The Complementarity Effect of Intensive and Extensive Margins of Exports Diversification on Growth: Empirical Evidence from Nigerian Data," Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Sciendo, vol. 25(1), pages 354-374.
  • Handle: RePEc:vrs:foeste:v:25:y:2025:i:1:p:354-374:n:1018
    DOI: 10.2478/foli-2025-0018
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/foli-2025-0018
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/foli-2025-0018?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lee, Dongyeol & Zhang, Huan, 2022. "Export diversification in low-income countries and small states: Do country size and income level matter?," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 250-265.
    2. Oubeid Rahmouni, 2020. "The Impact of the Geographical Diversification of Saudi Exports: An Intensive and Extensive Margin Approach," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(10), pages 1077-1087, October.
    3. Cho, Sang-Wook (Stanley) & Díaz, Julián P., 2018. "The new goods margin in new markets," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 78-93.
    4. By Michael Funke & Ralf Ruhwedel, 2001. "Product Variety and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence for the OECD Countries," IMF Staff Papers, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 48(2), pages 1-1.
    5. Muhlis Can & Giray Gozgor, 2018. "Effects of export product diversification on quality upgrading: an empirical study," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 293-313, April.
    6. Kevin Honglin Zhang, 2001. "How does foreign direct investment affect economic growth in China?," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 9(3), pages 679-693, November.
    7. Krugman, Paul, 1980. "Scale Economies, Product Differentiation, and the Pattern of Trade," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(5), pages 950-959, December.
    8. Marilyne Huchet†Bourdon & Chantal Le Mouël & Mariana Vijil, 2018. "The relationship between trade openness and economic growth: Some new insights on the openness measurement issue," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(1), pages 59-76, January.
    9. Dutt, Pushan & Mihov, Ilian & Van Zandt, Timothy, 2013. "The effect of WTO on the extensive and the intensive margins of trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(2), pages 204-219.
    10. Brunner, Hans-Peter & Cali, Massimiliano, 2006. "The dynamics of manufacturing competitiveness in South Asia: An analysis through export data," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 557-582, October.
    11. Akinlo, A. Enisan, 2004. "Foreign direct investment and growth in Nigeria: An empirical investigation," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 627-639, July.
    12. Yong-Liang Zhao & De-Xue Liu & Hua-Lin Pu & Zi-Hui Yang, 2013. "China'S Export Margins And Their Growth Sources: An Analysis Of Extensive Margin And Intensive Margin," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 58(04), pages 1-20.
    13. Ijaz Uddin & Khalil Ur Rahman, 2023. "Impact of corruption, unemployment and inflation on economic growth evidence from developing countries," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 2759-2779, June.
    14. Timothy J. Kehoe & Kim J. Ruhl, 2013. "How Important Is the New Goods Margin in International Trade?," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 121(2), pages 358-392.
    15. Altan Aldan & Olcay Yucel Culha, 2016. "The role of the extensive margin in export of Turkey : A comparative analysis," Central Bank Review, Research and Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, vol. 16(2), pages 59-64.
    16. Jesse Mora & Michael Olabisi, 2021. "Economic Development And The Margins Of Trade: Are The Least Developed Countries Different?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(2), pages 600-621, April.
    17. Besedes, Tibor & Prusa, Thomas J., 2011. "The role of extensive and intensive margins and export growth," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(2), pages 371-379, November.
    18. Paresh Kumar Narayan, 2005. "The saving and investment nexus for China: evidence from cointegration tests," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(17), pages 1979-1990.
    19. Beverelli, Cosimo & Neumueller, Simon & Teh, Robert, 2015. "Export Diversification Effects of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 293-310.
    20. Dimitar NIKOLOSKI & Miroslav GVEROSKI, 2017. "Assessing the poverty-growth-inequality nexus: the case of Macedonia," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 8, pages 29-43, June.
    21. Oubeid Rahmouni, 2020. "The Impact of the Geographical Diversification of Saudi Exports: An Intensive and Extensive Margin Approach," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(10), pages 1077-1087.
    22. Sunday Anderu Keji, 2021. "Human capital and economic growth in Nigeria," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, December.
    23. Feenstra, Robert & Kee, Hiau Looi, 2008. "Export variety and country productivity: Estimating the monopolistic competition model with endogenous productivity," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(2), pages 500-518, March.
    24. Diana B. Adelan & Makoto Kakinaka, 2018. "Extensive and intensive margins of exports: the case of the Philippines," Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3-4), pages 404-418, May.
    25. Rishav Bista & Brandon J. Sheridan, 2021. "Economic growth takeoffs and the extensive and intensive margins of trade," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 1373-1396, August.
    26. Olusola Joel Oyeleke & Taiwo Akinlo, 2020. "Energy generation and economic growth: empirical evidence from Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(8), pages 7177-7191, December.
    27. Otamurodov Shavkat & Zhu Shujin & Haq Ihtisham ul & Zhong Tenglong, 2017. "Export Margins, Price and Quantity of Belarus’s Export Growth," Review of Economic Perspectives, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 81-99, March.
    28. Satya Paul & Colm Kearney & Kabir Chowdhury, 1997. "Inflation and economic growth: a multi-country empirical analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(10), pages 1387-1401.
    29. Feder, Gershon, 1983. "On exports and economic growth," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(1-2), pages 59-73.
    30. Esfahani, Hadi Salehi, 1991. "Exports, imports, and economic growth in semi-industrialized countries," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 93-116, January.
    31. Michael Funke & Ralf Ruhwedel, 2002. "Export variety and export performance: Empirical evidence for the OECD countries," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 138(1), pages 97-114, March.
    32. Marilyne Huchet & Chantal Le Mouel & Mariana Vijil, 2018. "The relationship between trade openness and economic growth: Some new insights on the openness measurement issue," Post-Print hal-01883878, HAL.
    33. Lancaster, Kelvin, 1980. "Intra-industry trade under perfect monopolistic competition," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 151-175, May.
    34. Marianne Matthee & Thomas Farole & Tasha Naughtin & Neil Rankin, 2016. "South African Exporters and the Global Crisis: Intensive Margin Shock, Extensive Margin Hangover," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 84(2), pages 183-198, June.
    35. David Hummels & Peter J. Klenow, 2005. "The Variety and Quality of a Nation's Exports," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 95(3), pages 704-723, June.
    36. Pahlavani, M., 2005. "Cointegration and Structural Change in the Exports-Gdp Nexus: The Case of Iran, 1960-2003," International Journal of Applied Econometrics and Quantitative Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 2(4), pages 37-56.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ademola Obafemi Young, 2024. "Intensive and Extensive Margins of Export Diversification as Strategies for Sustainable Economic Growth: Evidence from the Nigerian Economy," Foreign Trade Review, , vol. 59(2), pages 187-224, May.
    2. Ndubuisi, Gideon & Mensah, Emmanuel & Owusu, Solomon, 2020. "Export Variety and Imported Intermediate Inputs: Industry-Level Evidence from Africa," MPRA Paper 106008, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Theo S. Eicher & David J. Kuenzel, 2016. "The elusive effects of trade on growth: Export diversity and economic take-off," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 49(1), pages 264-295, February.
    4. Cheong, Juyoung, 2023. "Do preferential trade agreements stimulate high-tech exports for low-income countries?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    5. Gao, Yue & Whalley, John & Ren, Yonglei, 2014. "Decomposing China's export growth into extensive margin, export quality and quantity effects," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 19-26.
    6. Parteka, Aleksandra, 2020. "What drives cross-country differences in export variety? A bilateral panel approach," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 48-56.
    7. Ardelean, Adina & Lugovskyy, Volodymyr, 2010. "Domestic productivity and variety gains from trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(2), pages 280-291, March.
    8. Cho, Sang-Wook (Stanley) & Díaz, Julián P., 2018. "The new goods margin in new markets," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 78-93.
    9. Türkcan, Kemal, 2014. "Exports Margins in Austria’s Export Growth," MPRA Paper 53085, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Sang-wook (Stanley) Cho & Hansoo Choi & Julián P. Díaz, 2018. "Do Free Trade Agreements Increase the New Goods Margin? Evidence from Korea," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 29(5), pages 1095-1122, November.
    11. Rishav Bista & Rebecca Tomasik, 2017. "Time Zone Effect and the Margins of Exports," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(6), pages 1053-1067, June.
    12. Robert C. Feenstra, 2010. "Measuring the gains from trade under monopolistic competition," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 1-28, February.
    13. Sang‐Wook (Stanley) Cho & Hansoo Choi & Julián P. Díaz, 2022. "The causal effect of free trade agreements on the trade margins: Product‐level evidence from geographically distant partners," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 88(4), pages 1453-1489, April.
    14. Foster, Neil & Poeschl, Johannes & Stehrer, Robert, 2011. "The impact of Preferential Trade Agreements on the margins of international trade," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 84-97, March.
    15. Cho, Sang-Wook (Stanley) & Díaz, Julián P., 2018. "The dynamics of trade margins: Evidence from the European integration," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 90-96.
    16. Neil Foster, 2012. "Preferential Trade Agreements and the Margins of Imports," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 869-889, November.
    17. Türkcan, Kemal, 2014. "Investigating the Role of Extensive Margin, Intensive Margin, Price and Quantity Components on Turkey’s Export Growth during 1998-2011," MPRA Paper 53292, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Wim Naudé & Martin Cameron, 2021. "Export-Led Growth after COVID-19: The Case of Portugal," Notas Económicas, Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, issue 52, pages 7-53, July.
    19. Arata KUNO & Shujiro URATA & Kazuhiko YOKOTA, 2017. "FTAs and the Pattern of Trade: The case of the Japan-Chile FTA," Discussion papers 17091, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    20. Kang, Kichun, 2009. "The export price index with the effect of variety and an empirical analysis," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 385-391, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:vrs:foeste:v:25:y:2025:i:1:p:354-374:n:1018. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.