Exporter Dynamics Database

55 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Tolga Cebeci

Tolga Cebeci

World Bank - International Trade Division

Ana M. Fernandes

World Bank - International Trade Division; World Bank

Caroline L. Freund

World Bank - Macro, Trade and Investment

Martha Denisse Pierola

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Date Written: October 1, 2012

Abstract

This paper introduces the Exporter Dynamics Database. The database includes exporter characteristics and measures of exporter growth based on firm-level customs information from 38 developing and seven developed countries, primarily for the period between 2003 and 2010. The measures are available at different levels of aggregation, including: a) country-year, b) country-year-product, and c) country-year-destination. Several new stylized facts about exporter behavior across countries emerge from the database. (i) Larger or more developed economies have more exporters, larger and more diversified exporters, and lower entry and exit rates than smaller or developing economies. (ii) In the short run, expansions along the intensive margin (exporter size) contribute more to export growth than expansions along the extensive margin (number of exporters). (iii) Exit rates are highly correlated with entry rates and both are negatively correlated with survival rates, average exporter size, and diversification. (iv) The number of exporters and the entry and exit rates in a country-product group are partially driven by country and product-group effects; however, the average size of exporters in a country-product group is not. Although the first three facts can be explained by models incorporating firm heterogeneity and uncertainty, the fourth fact is more difficult to explain with existing models. Several findings are confirmed in this database, including the importance of large multi-product firms. This database can be a valuable tool to improve the understanding of the micro-foundations of export growth, by providing new insights about exporter characteristics and dynamics.

Keywords: Debt Markets, Free Trade, Currencies and Exchange Rates, Economic Theory & Research, Trade Policy

Suggested Citation

Cebeci, Tolga and Fernandes, Ana Margarida and Freund, Caroline L. and Pierola, Martha Denisse, Exporter Dynamics Database (October 1, 2012). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 6229, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2162797

Tolga Cebeci (Contact Author)

World Bank - International Trade Division ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Ana Margarida Fernandes

World Bank - International Trade Division

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/afernandes

Caroline L. Freund

World Bank - Macro, Trade and Investment ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
MC3-329
Washington, DC 20433
United States
(202)458-0847 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/cfreund

Martha Denisse Pierola

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street N.W.
MSN3-311
Washington, DC 20433
United States

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