Exporter behavior, country size and stage of development: Evidence from the exporter dynamics database

Ana Fernandes (), Caroline Freund () and Martha Denisse Pierola

Journal of Development Economics, 2016, vol. 119, issue C, 121-137

Abstract: We present new data on the micro-structure of the export sector for 45 countries and study how exporter behavior varies with country size and stage of development. Larger countries and more developed countries have more exporters, larger exporters, and a greater share of exports controlled by the top 5%. The extensive margin (more firms) plays a greater role than the intensive margin (average size) in supporting exports of larger countries. In contrast, the intensive margin is relatively more important in explaining the exports of richer countries. Exporter entry and exit rates are higher and entrant survival is lower at an early stage of development. We discuss the results in light of trade theories with heterogeneous firms and the empirical literature on resource allocation, firm size, and development. An implication from our findings is that developing countries export less because the top of the firm-size distribution is truncated.

Keywords: Exporter dynamics; Exporter growth; Firm-level data; Allocative efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F14 O1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (117)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:119:y:2016:i:c:p:121-137

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2015.10.007

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