Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/29800 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
DIW Discussion Papers No. 886
Publisher: 
Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), Berlin
Abstract: 
This paper empirically investigates the antecedents of internationalization of SMEs, focusing on differences between the manufacturing and service sectors. Specifically, employing a bivariate probit model based on survey data of approximately 3,900 East German firms, I analyze which firm-related and external factors affect a firm's decision to export and/or relocate production or other operations abroad. Generally, I find that SMEs from the manufacturing sector do more exporting than service firms. The results reveal that size, having main competitors located abroad, and introducing a novel product all are significantly positively related to the internationalization of SMEs regardless of industry affiliation. However, manufacturing firms in the high-tech sector are far more likely to be engaged in internationalization activity than are service firms, regardless of whether the latter are high-tech. Locational conditions and cooperation activities are generally less important for internationalization of service firms, too, compared to their manufacturing counterparts.
Subjects: 
Internationalization
service
manufacturing
bivariate probit model
JEL: 
M16
M20
L25
R30
O30
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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