Exports and the Structure of Immigrant-Based Networks: The Role of Geographic Proximity

This study empirically investigates the structure of immigrant based networks, both internationally and intranationally within the United States and how they affect U.S. export volume. Specifically, we examine the relationship between state populations of immigrant groups and the volume of state exports to the home country of the immigrant group. We compare the estimated effects of local immigrant populations on state exports to the effects of out-of-state populations of the same immigrant group and find the former effect to be greater than the latter. In addition, we find that the network effects are greatest for newer immigrant groups. © 2005 President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.