The role of human capital in firm export performance: The case of ASEAN

Abstract:

This study focuses on the impact of human capital, specifically employee education level and employee training, on enterprise export activities in the context of the ASEAN region. The study used World Bank Enterprise Survey data in 2015 and 2016 with 3,335 businesses from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. The study uses the multilevel mixed-effects logit model to solve the hierarchical data structure (multilevel) of the data set used in the study. Research results show that employee education level and employee training both have a positive impact on the export performance of businesses in the ASEAN region. From the above results, the study provides a perspective for businesses on how to improve efficiency in export activities in international markets through enhancing the human capital of the workforce.