Project R-14653

Digitalization and international competitiveness: a cross-country exploration of the relation between firm-level ICT use, productivity and export (Research)

While there is evidence that ICT and human capital are positively associated with export, the underlying mechanisms that explain such a relationship remain largely unexplored. Combining firm, industry and country-level perspectives for three countries (Belgium, France, and the Netherlands), this project aims to explore the mechanism that governs how ICT and productivity affect export behaviour. In particular, we will explore the direct impact of ICT on export, as well as its indirect impact through productivity, accounting for the endogenous nature of export and ICT adoption with respect to productivity. Cross-country differences in institutional settings, industry structure and relations, innovative behaviour and productivity differences between Belgium, France and the Netherlands make the contribution of this comparative study particularly valuable, also from a policy point of view.

06 December 2023 - 04 October 2024