This chapter reviews the theoretical and empirical literature on learning by doing. Many of the distinctive theoretical implications of learning by doing have been derived under the assumption that the cost–quantity relationships observed in numerous empirical studies are largely the result of...

This paper formulates a model of optimal export decision of private firms and then empirically studies the effect of firm size, import of raw materials and capital goods, competitiveness (measured in terms of price-cost-margin (PCM)), and productivity growth on export performance of Indian...

In this paper we explore how firms' productivity is affected by agglomeration of firms, clustering of innovation and localisation of FDI in Turkey, Italy and Tunisia. We also control for the impact of firm characteristics on firm productivity (specifically the role of size, ownership and firm...

We estimate domestic productivity relationships for a sample of 16 OECD countries through probably the most general specification yet. We identify ten key determinants of productivity - all derived from different theoretical models. Our specification may address the potential problem of omitted...

We examine the dynamics of knowledge production for a panel of 19 OECD countries. A new and unique data set is used to proxy the domestic flows of “new-to-the-world” knowledge and ideas. We rigorously address the cross-country heterogeneity in the production of knowledge and the endogeneous...

Analyzing a novel dataset we find significantly positive effects of basic, and applied and experimental knowledge stocks on domestic output and productivity for a panel of 10 OECD countries. This letter updates the work of, among others, Mansfield (1980), Griliches (1986) and Adams (1990), at an...

We develop a model to analyze the implications of firing costs on incentives for R amp; D and international specialization. The key idea is that, to avoid paying firing costs, the country with a rigid labor market will tend to produce relatively secure goods, at a late stage of their product...

Innovation depends on exporting and, in particular, on scale and competition in export markets. We develop a theory featuring (1) quality-segmented markets, (2) step-by-step innovation that moves firms forward along the quality ladder, and (3) escape-the-competition motives for innovation. We...

In this paper, we build a dynamic model with endogenous firm-level productivity that generates firm heterogeneity as an equilibrium outcome. Firm heterogeneity arises in equilibrium from the gradual diffusion of a technological innovation through the industry. We investigate the effects of...

We develop a model to analyze the implications of firing costs on incentives for R&D and international specialization. The Key idea is paying the firing cost, the country with a rigid labor market will tend to produce relatively secure goods, at a late stage of their product life cycle. Under...