Firm-level evidence on productivity differentials and turnover in Taiwanese manufacturing

High rates of firm entry and exit have accompanied the rapid and sustained growth of output in Taiwan's manufacturing sector. A high rate of firm turnover can contribute to industry productivity growth if it reflects a transfer of resources from less efficient to more efficient producers. Using comprehensive firm-level panel data from the Taiwanese Census of Manufactures for 1981, 1986, and 1991, we measure total factor productivity for entering, exiting, and continuing cohorts of firms and quantify the contribution of firm turnover to industry productivity improvements. Across manufacturing firms, we find significant differences in productivity that are reflected in turnover patterns. Cohorts of new firms have lower average productivity than incumbents but are themselves a heterogeneous group. The more productive members of the group, on average, survive and, in many cases, their productivity converges to the productivity level of older incumbents. Exiting firms are less productive than survivors. The productivity differential between entering and exiting firms is an important source of industry-level productivity growth in Taiwanese manufacturing, accounting for as much as one-half of industry improvement in some industries and time periods.