既有之理論或實證文獻多認為出口廠商的生產力較非出口商高，本研究利用中國大陸紡織成衣與電子業製造商的研究卻發現相反的結果。不僅中國出口商所顯示的特性，與多數文獻的發現不相一致，且在控制廠商特性及所有權，並考慮廠商自我選擇效果之情況下，出口商的生產力顯著低於內銷廠商。本文將此一現象稱作出口商生產力的矛盾。此一矛盾現象在利用多種不同勞動生產力衡量方式之情況下仍然存在。本研究亦就造成此一現象之可能原因，提出一些解釋與佐證。

In this paper, we provide some evidence that challenges the widespread consensus that exporters outperform nonexporters in productivity. Using Chinese textiles and electronics firms as a case study, we show that Chinese exporters exhibit characteristics different from those in other countries. We also show that, after controlling for firm characteristics and ownership, exporters are less productive than nonexporters when self-selection bias due to the endogeneity of export decisions is considered, a result contradicting the conventional wisdom. Some possible explanations are then provided.