The impact of knowledge spillovers on export performance of countries: A panel data approach

The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether inflows of FDI and innovative activities act as a channel of knowledge spillovers in improving export performance of countries. In measuring export performance, sophistication of a countries' export basket and the value of exports of high technology products are utilized. A rich panel data with 114 countries that comprises both developed and developing countries for the period from 2002 to 2015 is used in the analysis. Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) dynamic panel estimator developed by Arellano and Bond (1991) is utilized to control for potential endogeneity and dynamic nature of the problem. Estimation results indicate that the level of financial development, the quality of human capital and globalization of a country have a determinative role on the relation between knowledge spillover channels and the quality of exports in terms of sophistication and technology content. Overall, patent applications generally positively affect sophistication of exports. However, FDI serves as a channel for knowledge spillovers to benefit the sophistication level of exports only for developed, more educated, financially developed and globalized countries. The results of the study demonstrate a weaker relationship between knowledge spillovers and technology content of exports with respect to sophistication of exports. Key Words: Knowledge Spillovers, Sophistication of Export, Patent Applications, Foreign Direct Investments