Firm size, exchange rate and exports performance : a firm level study of Pakistani manufacturing sector

Most of the countries are now focusing on changing its exports structure, concentration and direction. Among many other factors, firm-size and exchange rate are the vital factors that influence the export performance of a country. This study has attempted to investigate the effects of firm size and exchange rate on domestic and exports sales. The study has used panel data technique for the period of 1998-2010 focusing 205 manufacturing firms representing fourteen different industries. Two models are specified to explore the impact of firm size and exchange rate. First model examines the effects on export sales while the second model explored the effects on domestic sales. The findings of the first model suggest positive link among firm size, exchange rate and export sales. The second model exposed positive effect of firm size on domestic sales ratio while real effective exchange rate and domestic sales ratio are found negative.