A Study on the determinants of manufactured products export performance in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the determinants of manufacturing industry export performance at a firm level. The analysis applied fixed effect, tobit and probit models based on world bank enterprise survey panel data. The finding indicated that the use of website, firm size, firm age, skill intensity, technology, export experience and quality certification are the key determinants of export performance. In contrast, the impact of firm location and foreign ownership are found to be insignificant. The study suggests that firms should consider technology, standardization of process, increasing economies of scale, quality improvement, and certification as key focus areas when formulating export strategy. Firms should make use of internet-based modern communication tools such as website and email to exchange information with clients easily and promote their products.