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Digital connectivity and firm participation in foreign markets: An exporter-based bilateral analysis

Author

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  • Imbruno, Michele
  • Cariolle, Joël
  • de Melo, Jaime

Abstract

This paper studies how bilateral digital connectivity resulting from telecommunications submarine cable (SMC) deployment affects firm participation in export markets. Based on a heterogeneous firm model and using an unbalanced panel of bilateral trade data across 48 countries during the period 1997-2014, we find that an SMC connection between two countries is associated with an increase in the number of bilateral exporters in developed countries, but also with a reduction in the number of bilateral exporters in developing countries. This negative association between bilateral connectivity and firm participation in export markets appears to be stronger in the poorest developing areas: Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The growth in world connectivity spurred by SMCs deployment has therefore had a heterogeneous effect on firm decision to export, pushing more firms from high-income countries to enter export markets, and some incumbent exporters from lower-income countries to exit them.

Suggested Citation

  • Imbruno, Michele & Cariolle, Joël & de Melo, Jaime, 2022. "Digital connectivity and firm participation in foreign markets: An exporter-based bilateral analysis," CEPR Discussion Papers 17318, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17318
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    2. Cariolle, Joël & Elkhateeb, Yasmine & Maurel, Mathilde, 2024. "Misinformation technology: Internet use and political misperceptions in Africa," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 400-433.
    3. Joel Cariolle, 2026. "Digital transformations in developing economies: From the first-mile infrastructure to the end-user finger tips," WIPO Economic Research Working Papers 96, World Intellectual Property Organization - Economics and Statistics Division.
    4. Cariolle,Joël & Houngbonon,Georges Vivien & Silue,Tarna Abdoul Hamid & Strusani,Davide, 2024. "The Impact of Submarine Cables on Internet Access Price, and the Role of Competition and Regulation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10840, The World Bank.
    5. Carolina Calatayud & María Engracia Rochina Barrachina, 2023. "How do firms in Sub‐Saharan Africa benefit from global value chains?," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 91(2), pages 214-241, June.
    6. Caoui, El Hadi & Steck, Andrew, 2025. "Content providers and the deployment of Internet infrastructure," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Briglauer, Wolfgang & Katz, Raúl L. & Jung, Juan, 2025. "Economic impacts of subsea cable deployment," Research Papers 31, EcoAustria – Institute for Economic Research.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations

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