The Effect of Private Ownership on the Export Intensity in the Manufacturing of Motor Vehicles and Transport Equipment in Iran

This study is designed to evaluate the effect of private ownership on the export intensity in the manufacturing of vehicles and transport equipment in Iran. Moreover, we examine the effect of competitiveness, firm size and R & D costs variables on exports in these industries. In this regard, GMM method is selected as an estimation method. In this paper, we use the manufacturing of motor vehicles and transport equipment data in Iran for the period of 2004-2012, which is classified at the 4-digit level of the International Standard of Industrial Classification (ISIC). The results show that private ownership in the industry has a positive and significant effect on its export intensity. Our findings indicate that the productivity of the labor force has a positive impact on exports in these industries. According to the results, paying attention to the problems of the export-oriented firms in the industry can be the industry's policy priority. Also easing entry condition for private firms that are planning to exports can improve production and foreign trade.