【摘要】Contradictory to the theoretical proposition, Chinese exporters are overall less pro-ductive than non-exporters. This study explores the productivity puzzle of Chinese exporters using a plant level dataset which includes the large industrial firms during the period of1998–2007. Based on total factor productivity (TFP) estimated by the semi-parametric methodproposed in Olley and Pakes, this study confirms productivity puzzle of Chinese exporters. Theproductivity puzzle however does not remain after controlling for firm locations. This result isrobust for different model specifications and productivity measurements. Further analysis indi-cates that productive firms would favour the domestic market particularly when they can enjoylocal protection. Export spillover effects would help less productive firms to enter the interna-tional market. Ownership and scale economies however condition the impacts of local protec-tion and spillover effects. This paper suggests that local protection and spillover effects caninfluence the export decision of Chinese firms, providing a complementary contribution to therelated literature.

【关键词】TFP;productivity puzzle;local protection;exporters, China

【文献来源】Rudai Yang;Canfei He.Papers in Regional Studies.2014（2）