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Learning to import from your peers
Title / Series / Name
Journal of International Economics
Publication Volume
115
Publication Issue
Pages
Editors
Keywords
Imports
Peer effects
Spatial spillovers
Manager networks
Social multiplier
JEL codes
Peer effects
Spatial spillovers
Manager networks
Social multiplier
JEL codes
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14018/14100
Abstract
We use firm-level data from Hungary to estimate knowledge spillovers in importing through fine spatial and managerial networks. By identifying from variation in peers' import experience across source countries, by comparing the spillover from neighboring buildings with a cross-street placebo, and by exploiting plausibly exogenous firm moves, we obtain credible estimates and establish three results. (1) There are significant knowledge spillovers in both spatial and managerial networks. Having a peer which has imported from a particular country more than doubles the probability of starting to import from that country, but the effect quickly decays with distance. (2) Spillovers are heterogeneous: they are stronger when firms or peers are larger or more productive, and exhibit complementarities in firm and peer productivity. (3) The model-implied social multiplier is highly skewed, implying that targeting an import-encouragement policy to firms with many and productive neighbors can make it 26% more effective. These results highlight the benefit of firm clusters in facilitating the diffusion of business practices.
Topic
Publisher
Place of Publication
Type
Journal article
Date
2018
Language
ISBN
Identifiers
10.1016/j.jinteco.2018.09.010