Stata do-file for the paper informal legacy and exporting among Sub-Saharan African firms

<p>Stata do-file for the paper informal legacy and exporting among Sub-Saharan African firms. Published in O<em>rganization Science (2022)</em>.  </p>
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<p><strong>Abstract paper</strong></p>
<p>Around the world and especially in areas of widespread poverty, firms start their operations without registering with relevant authorities (i.e., in the informal economy). We explore whether firms that initiated their operations in the informal economy but later register have a higher propensity to export than firms that register at the time of their foundation. We reason that the experience of having operated informally provides formally registered firms with the advantage of low-cost and flexible exploration but also a domestic legitimacy liability. We suggest that these factors likely contribute to making foreign export markets more attractive after registration. Based on a comprehensive sample of Sub-Saharan African firms, we find that conditional on registration, firms with an informal legacy have a higher propensity to initiate exporting than firms that started their operations formally. We contribute with theoretical and policy-oriented insights on the dynamics of informality and exporting. </p>
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<p>This stata do-file lists all commands that have been executed in the data management and analysis process. The main data source is the World Bank Enterprise Survey.  World Bank Enterprise Survey Data is available through the World Bank for researchers after registration.  </p>
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<p>Reference: </p>
<p> Larsen, M. M., & Witte, C. T. (2022). Informal Legacy and Exporting Among Sub-Saharan African Firms. <em>Organization Science</em>. </p>