EN
In literature one can find the learning-by-exporting hypothesis (LBE), according to which exporters should increase their productivity due to experience gained from international activity. However, when researching into Polish exporters, this hypothesis has not yet been sufficiently proven. The aim of this article is to present potential reasons for elusiveness of the LBE effect in empirical analyses based on Polish manufacturing enterprises. Both, mechanisms questioning the LBE effect and factors limiting its scope, were considered. Based on conducted analyses it has been concluded that the main factors rendering difficult in observation of LBE are: quick diffusion of all innovational solutions, which restrains enterprises from investing, and relatively small share of ex-porters with little experience, among whom the effect is the strongest.