An Examination of Learning by Export Hypothesis:A Case Study of Iran's Manufacturing Industries

An increase in firm’s export enhances its productivity via several channels such as competition، technology transfer and economies of scale exploitation. The main purpose of this paper is to examine learning by export hypothesis، in which a firm’s export affects its productivity positively. The effect of Iranian manufacturing industries’ export on their total factor productivity has been tested employing new international trade theories، using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and the latest micro data during 2001-2010. The results show a positive and significant effect of export on total factor productivity of Iranian manufacturing industries. Based on this result، it seems that industrial firm’s export increases their productivity.