Learning by Exporting: Evidence from India

Abstract

The empirical evidence on learning by exporting is mixed. In this paper, we examine whether productivity growth among Indian exporters is higher than that of non-exporters. After controlling for self-selection into exporting, we do not find evidence for learning by exporting in a panel of manufacturing firms. There is also no evidence of heterogeneity in learning by exporting with regard to age, size, or productivity. The study finds that exporters grow bigger at a significantly higher rate than their domestic counterparts. But the growth in size does not appear to translate into growth in productivity after entry into foreign markets. Instead, exporters exhibit a boost in productivity 1 year prior to entering export markets.