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Export, FDI and Productivity – Evidence for French Firms

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  • Engel, Dirk
  • Procher, Vivien

Abstract

The decision of companies to enter international markets, either via exports or foreign direct investment (FDI), has been postulated by the self-sorting model of Helpman, Melitz and Yeaple (HMY, 2004). In the strict sense, the theoretical predictions of HMY only apply to firms that become engaged in market- driven (horizontal) FDI. Hence, in this paper we apply more precise methodologies to test the HMY hypothesis. First, we classify MNEs according to the underlying motives for investing abroad (market-driven vs. resource-driven FDI). Second, we highlight the role of productivity growth in the post-entry period. Our findings suggest that productivity affects the FDI decision considerably whereas expected feedback and learning effects of FDI on productivity are remarkably lower. We further detect that more market-driven MNEs exhibit a higher productivity than comparatively less market-driven MNEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Engel, Dirk & Procher, Vivien, 2009. "Export, FDI and Productivity – Evidence for French Firms," Ruhr Economic Papers 111, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:111
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    Cited by:

    1. Engel, Dirk & Procher, Vivien & Schmidt, Christoph M., 2010. "The Asymmetries of a Small World: Entry Into and Withdrawal From International Markets by French Firms," Ruhr Economic Papers 192, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    2. Dirk Engel & Christoph M. Schmidt & Vivien Procher, 2010. "The Asymmetries of a Small World: Entry Into and Withdrawal From International Markets by French Firms," Ruhr Economic Papers 0192, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universität Dortmund, Universität Duisburg-Essen.
    3. Joachim Wagner, 2016. "International Trade and Firm Performance: A Survey of Empirical Studies since 2006," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Microeconometrics of International Trade, chapter 2, pages 43-87, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    4. Procher, Vivien, 2009. "Agglomeration Effects and the Location of Foreign Direct Investment – Evidence from French First-time Movers," Ruhr Economic Papers 100, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment; horizontal and vertical FDI; multinational enterprises; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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