This paper uses comprehensive high-quality panel data from official statistics for exporting enterprises to investigate the micro-structure of the recent export collapse in manufacturing industries in Germany during the crisis of 2008/2009. Almost all of the decline in exports was due to negative changes of exports in firms that continue to export (i.e. at the so-called intensive margin) while the decrease of exports due to export stoppers (at the so-called extensive margin) was tiny. It is shown that idiosyncratic shocks to very large firms played a decisive role in shaping the export collapse.

JEL Classification

Comments and Questions

Anonymous - Referee Report 1

November 06, 2012 - 08:44

see attached file

[ Download attached file ]

Joachim Wagner - Remarks on Referee Report #1

November 12, 2012 - 13:48

Dear Editor,
I attach a file with my comments on the report of referee #1.
Best,
Joachim Wagner

Joachim Wagner - Comments on report by referee #1

November 12, 2012 - 13:51

Dear Referee,
thank you very much for carefully reading my paper and making severel important suggestions that will help to improve it in the next version. I attach my comments on your report.
Sincerely yours,
Joachim Wagner

[ Download attached file ]