Learning-by-exporting: do firm characteristics matter? Evidence from Argentinian panel data

We identify characteristics that affect firms’ ability to learn from their export activities. Our analysis employs propensity score matching (PSM) techniques and GMM regressions on a panel of Argentinian firms spanning 1992-2001. Characteristics we find important to learning-by-exporting are: foreign ownership, intensive use of imported inputs, a skilled workforce and small firm size. Finally, firms that are new to exporting seem to experience particularly high productivity gains but begin enjoying them before entering into the export market. ∗We thank Jens Arnold for supplying the original Stata code used to implement the Propensity Score Matching Technique. We also thank Valeria Arza, Rob Elliott and Gabriel Yoguel for their helpful comments. Any shortcomings are our own. †Corresponding author: Department of Economics, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, United Kingdom, [email protected]