ABSTRACT

This paper explores the export-productivity relationship using firm-level data from Egypt over the 2003–2008 period. Previous studies using data from developed countries suggest that self-selection is the main driver of the exporter premium. Using a propensity-score matching difference-in-difference approach, we find that both labor productivity and total factor productivity are significantly higher for exporters than for non-exporters. On average, labor productivity and total factor productivity are, respectively, 43% and 61% higher for exporting firms than for domestically-oriented firms. Accounting for the level of development of destination countries, we find that this export premium is due to a learning-by-exporting process rather than just a self-selection of more productive firms into exporting. In contrast to exporters to OECD countries, exporters to Non-OECD countries self-select into export markets, signaling the importance of the technical assistance from OECD buyers.

摘要

本文使用2003-2008年期间埃及公司层面的数据来探讨出口与生产率的关系。以前使用发达国家数据进行的研究表明，自我选择是出口商溢价的主要驱动力。使用倾向得分匹配的差异差异方法，我们发现出口商的劳动生产率和全要素生产率均显着高于非出口商。平均而言，出口公司的劳动生产率和全要素生产率分别比国内公司高43％和61％。考虑到目的地国家的发展水平，我们发现出口溢价是由于出口过程中的学习，而不仅仅是对生产能力更高的公司的自我选择。与经合组织国家的出口商相比，