Improve Export Performance Research Articles

The supply-side of environmental sustainability and export performance: The role of knowledge integration and international buyer involvement

Most of previous studies seek to understand buyer perspectives in green supply chain relationships and devote inadequate attention to the strategic role of upstream suppliers. Drawing on a market-oriented approach to sustainability, this paper examines the enabling factors and processes that underpin how export suppliers from emerging economies leverage their strategic intent to develop knowledge integration capacity for achieving improved export performance. The results from a sample of Chinese exporters show that the relational capacity of knowledge integration mediates the performance impact of market-oriented environmental sustainability, and such a mediating process of leaning is further enhanced by international buyer involvement. We reveal that relationship efforts should be directed at developing integrative capacity involving key partners for implementing proactive environmental strategy in international business-to-business (B2B) markets. This study contributes to the research of supply chain sustainability in a global context.

Senegal: Staff Report for the Article IV Consultation and Third Review Under the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release, and Staff Report

This Article IV Consultation highlights that Senegal’s macroeconomic situation is stable. Growth is expected to exceed 6 percent in 2016, while inflation remains low. The fiscal deficit has been declining steadily from 5.5 percent of GDP in 2013 and is projected to reach 4.2 percent of GDP in 2016. The current account deficit has narrowed and is projected to reach 6.5 percent of GDP in 2016, driven by lower oil prices and improved export performance. The outlook for the Senegalese economy is positive and risks are manageable, provided there is a concerted effort to continue improving economic governance.

Determining factors in the internationalization of hotel industry

Choosing the best way of operating in foreign markets is one of the most important decisions in business internationalization. The main aim of this study is to ascertain whether the choice of entry mode, made according to the impact of various factors, leads to improved export performance. Certain factors influence export performance in different ways, some of which are firm-related, while others lie beyond the firm’s control. It is, therefore, important to know what these factors are and what impact they have in order to be able to choose the optimal foreign market entry mode, as this decision will have a direct effect on performance.

Organizational innovation, technological innovation, and export performance: The effects of innovation radicalness and extensiveness

This study focuses on the relevance of different types of innovation for firms’ export performance. Despite ample research on the innovation–performance relationship, previous studies have mainly focused on technological innovations, leaving the effects of organizational innovations relatively unexplored. Hypotheses on the relationship between organizational and technological innovations and firm export performance are tested by structural equation modelling using data from 218 Swedish export ventures. The results indicate that organizational innovation enhances export performance both directly and indirectly by sustaining technological innovation. Moreover, by fine-graining our analysis of the mediating role of technological innovation, according to its radicalness and extensiveness, for organizational innovation, we show how the latter enhances both the radicalness and extensiveness of technological innovation although, notably, only extensiveness is actually beneficial for export performance. This study helps alleviate the scarcity of research examining the links among different types of innovation in relation to export performance and contributes to international business and marketing literature by generating new evidence regarding the mechanisms through which organizational and technological innovations may improve export performance.

EVALUATING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EGYPTIAN RICE EXPORTS

This research aims to evaluate the competitiveness of rice exports during the period of (2002- 2013) using the market share index, the relative stability of exports coefficient, competitive price and market penetration coefficient to know causes of declining market shares for exports of Egyptian rice in the key markets and to suggest some methods to develop the Egyptian export policy for rice to increase competitiveness and improve export performance in the foreign markets. The results indicated that about 67.45% of the average amount of Egyptian rice exports is concentrated in five countries namely: Syria, Turkey, Libya, Jordan and the Sudan and about 32.55% is concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Romania, the United States, Lebanon, Britain, the United Arab of Emirates, Kenya, Italy and other countries. Also, the results cleared a comparative advantage for Egyptian exports of rice in the world market. It was shown that each of the quantity, value and export price of rice is characterized by instability. The Egyptian rice has a competitive price advantage in India, Australia, Italy, the United States, China and Pakistan. The results showed that the penetration coefficient of the Egyptian exports of rice during the study period (2002- 2013) increases in the markets of the Sudan, Romania, Syria, Libya, Jordan and Lebanon. The study recommends the expansion of Egyptian rice to the markets of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kenya which is considered one of the promising markets. Establishing a system to follow up the export markets and gather accurate and immediate information about those markets and make it available in an easy and accessible way for the producers and exporters to identify the export opportunities and directing the production to the markets which receive a great amount of the Egyptian rice crop. Studying the competitive conditions of the Egyptian rice inside its main markets in order to increase the amount of exports.

Export performance as a function of market learning capabilities and intrapreneurship: SEM and FsQCA findings

This study draws on the resource-based, dynamic capabilities, and organization learning theories to investigate the internal mechanisms through which intrapreneurship influences current and future export performance. Specifically, this approach views the four distinct dimensions of intrapreneurship, namely new business venturing, innovativeness, self-renewal, and proactiveness, as critical resources, and export market exploitation and exploration as important market learning capabilities. The study posits that such resources and capabilities collectively contribute to improve export performance outcomes. The study develops a theoretically anchored model and employs both structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to test the model relationships. These two techniques have different foci: the net effect of an independent variable on an outcome variable and the conditions that lead to a given outcome, respectively. The study results provide substantial support for the theoretical framework and a valuable addition to the scant literature on the roles of intrapreneurship and market exploitation and exploration in exporting.

The effects of internal marketing capability on export marketing strategy, B2B marketing mix and export performance

The authors examine how the internal marketing capabilities of export firms in B2B contexts affect export marketing strategies, B2B marketing mix and export performance. The study uses marketing organization capability, marketing human resources capability, marketing financial capability and marketing infrastructure as the internal marketing capabilities of B2B export firms. Drawing on dynamic capabilities theory, the authors develop a model that links internal marketing capabilities with export marketing strategies and B2B marketing mix and export performance. The study identifies that marketing infrastructure has positive effects on both export marketing strategies and B2B marketing mix. Furthermore, the findings reveal that export managers of B2B export firms should enhance marketing infrastructure to improve export performance. This study contributes to the export marketing field by linking the internal marketing capabilities and B2B marketing mix view with export performance. The findings on marketing infrastructure and its relationships with export marketing strategy and B2B marketing mix could be useful not only to academics, but also to export marketing managers of B2B export firms. The authors discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of their findings.

Cooperative Relationship in Vietnam Export Supply Chain: Current Situation and Recommendations for Improving Export Performance

This paper focuses on export supply chain management in Vietnam context. We applied theoretical research methods and practical survey of Vietnam’s export situation in recent years. The research results constitute the most general picture of Vietnam’s export activities and indepth assessments of the impact of completing the export supply chain on such export activities. From that the paper proposes some solutions to improve competitiveness of Vietnam’s commodities on the market to export to the region and to the world.

No easy balancing act: reducing the balance-of-payments constraint, improving export competitiveness and productivity, and absorbing surplus labor – the Indian experience

As per the balance-of-payments constraint hypothesis, in an open economy, achieving a higher long-run rate of growth requires a country to reduce its balance-of-payments constraint through an improved export performance, and the production of import substitutes, which would lower the income elasticity of demand for imports. In developing countries, a sustainable and inclusive process of development also requires the generation of high productivity activities and quality employment. By focusing on the Indian case, this paper shows that even if a developing country manages to reduce its balance-of-payments constraint, concentrated improvements in productivity and employment may remain at the industrial level. Furthermore, a reduction of the balance-of-payments constraint may be more the result of an improvement in the net exports of services than an improvement in the external competitiveness of merchandise exports. Such a services-led reduction of the balance-of-payments constraint may not address the problem of generating large-scale quality employment and making the growth process more inclusive.

Has foreign investment played a role in Mongolia's export success?

The exposure of the Mongolian economy to international trade in the early 1990s has led to its export growth exceeding GDP growth and a dramatic increase in inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Although FDI can act as a powerful channel for export expansion in a developing country like Mongolia, improved export performance could also be due to other factors, such as movements in prices, competitive exchange rates and world income. In spite of Mongolia's superior export performance, as yet, no study has been conducted to investigate the determinants of Mongolian export demand and supply. Using a panel data set covering 1995–2012 for the mining, manufacturing and primary sectors, we analyse the determinants of export performance. Empirical results suggest that higher world income, higher prices for Mongolian exports and increased FDI inflows have led to improved export performance in Mongolia. There is no statistical evidence to suggest that trade liberalisation and improved provision of basic infrastructure have had any impact on Mongolia's export expansion.

Antecedents and consequences of export entrepreneurship

Purpose of the researchThis paper has two main objectives. First objective involves defining export entrepreneurship as well as its dimensions of speed, degree, and scope. These objectives respond to current literature scarcity and fragmentation. Second, to employ empirical analysis to explore export entrepreneurship determinants and consequences through resource-based view and contingency approach. MethodologyA conceptual model with a multi-sectoral sample of 212 Spanish exporting companies is the basis for empirical analysis. Principal resultsResults reveal that export entrepreneurship positively depends on internal factors such as managerial export commitment and resources regarding experience and structure. Likewise, export entrepreneurship depends on external environment contingency factors, such as competitive intensity and distance between export firm’s markets. This study also shows that export entrepreneurship positively affects export performance. Major conclusionsManagers can use above findings to systematize decisions and actions regarding their firms' export activity and improve export performance.

Trade Liberalisation and Export Performance in Transition: The Case of Georgia

AbstractThis paper examines export performance in Georgia in the process of transition from central planning to a market‐oriented economy. Policy reforms undertaken with the support of the Bretton Woods institutions since the mid‐1990s have made Georgia one of the most market‐friendly economies among the Commonwealth of Independent States. However, the reforms have so far failed to transform the lopsided export structure inherited from the Soviet era in line with emerging opportunities for global economic integration. The orthodox liberalisation reforms are unlikely to improve export performance unless accompanied by concrete measures to redress supply‐side constraints faced by export producers and to sustain their international competitiveness.

Exchange Rate Policy and Export Performance in Efficiency-Driven Economies

Increased globalisation of trade, coupled with rising competition, has led a growing number of firms to search beyond their traditional domestic markets for business opportunities in recent years. As a result, export-led growth has gained renewed attention amongst policy makers, particularly amongst those in industrialising nations, or so-called efficiency-driven economies. This search for drivers of economic growth has gained further impetus from the economic pressures brought about by the fall in growth in advanced markets following the global financial crisis coupled with the rising competitive of industrialising emerging economies. A common policy proposal amongst countries trying to catch up in terms of competitiveness is to weaken the home country exchange rate as a means to stimulate exports. Past research on the impact of such policy prescriptions shows mixed results. Consequently, and given the renewed emphasis on this policy lever, this research examines the impact of exchange rate on export performance in a sample of nine efficiency-driven economies over the period 1990 to 2009. These economies that we survey include Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey, which all have floating exchange rate arrangements during the survey period. Panel data models using a fixed-effects method have been applied in this research, the results of which suggest that a weakening of the exchange rate does not necessarily improve export performance. To the contrary, for the nine countries surveyed, export growth seems to be associated with stronger exchange rates. Whilst our results suggest that the lag effect of exchange rate movement on export performance is slightly more pronounced, the relationship nevertheless remains statistically insignificant.

Rebalancing in the Euro Area and Cyclicality of Current Account Adjustments

The paper examines progress with the external rebalancing of euro area deficit countries. Relative prices are adjusting at different pace across countries and with different compositions of wage cuts and labor shedding. There is so far limited evidence of resource re-allocation from non-tradable to tradable sectors, while improved export performance is still dependent on external demand from the rest of world. Current account adjustments have taken place, reflecting structural changes but also cyclical forces, suggesting that part of the improvements may unwind when cyclical conditions improve. Looking ahead, relying only on relative price adjustments (which adversely affects demand) to rebalance the euro area could prove very challenging. Structural reforms will play an important role in the reallocation of resources to the tradable sector and the associated relative price adjustment, while boosting non-price and price competitiveness.

Rebalancing in the Euro Area and Cyclicality of Current Account Adjustments

The paper examines progress with the external rebalancing of euro area deficit countries. Relative prices are adjusting at different pace across countries and with different compositions of wage cuts and labor shedding. There is so far limited evidence of resource re-allocation from non-tradable to tradable sectors, while improved export performance is still dependent on external demand from the rest of world. Current account adjustments have taken place, reflecting structural changes but also cyclical forces, suggesting that part of the improvements may unwind when cyclical conditions improve. Looking ahead, relying only on relative price adjustments (which adversely affects demand) to rebalance the euro area could prove very challenging. Structural reforms will play an important role in the reallocation of resources to the tradable sector and the associated relative price adjustment, while boosting non-price and price competitiveness.

Marketing capability and export performance: The moderating effect of export performance

As global competition around the world continues to intensify, firms are seeking strategies that will increase export performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating effect of export involvement on the relationships among marketing capabilities, export performance, and export intensity. The main study was conducted by a questionnaire using the Saudi Arabia export ventures as the sampling frame. Data was analyzed with LISREL to test the moderating effect of export involvement. This study found that export involvement moderates the relationships among marketing capabilities, export performance, and export intensity. Product and distribution capabilities show a significant direct effect on export performance for the low involvement exporters. For the high involvement exporters, the promotion and distribution capabilities have a significant effect on export performance. The impact of the three marketing capabilities on export performance is moderated by export involvement. Depending on the level of export involvement, firms should selectively target different marketing capabilities to improve export performance. This paper fills the gap in our understanding of the differential impact of various marketing capabilities on export performance for firms in different levels of export involvement.

Internal resources, local externalities and export performance: An application in the Iberian ham cluster

AbstractThis research aims to complement resource-based view with a cluster approach in identifying which elements, both internal to the firm and locally available, improve firms’ export performance. While in the resource-based view exporting firms are contingent upon the development of intangible resources, from a cluster approach exporters exploit local externalities, mainly related to local information, knowledge and resource spillovers. We present empirical evidence from the Iberian ham cluster in Spain, which confirms the relevance of intangibles such as R&D and marketing promotion, but also of cluster linkages with local institutions – technological centres, universities and use of Designation of Origins – in improving export performance. Contrary to expectations, employee education, organizational experience, and information and knowledge-based spillovers from proximate exporters have no significant effect. These findings suggest that an augmented framework may improve the predictive elements of export performance in clusters.

Effective Factors on Export Performance

Export is vital tool for countries to achieve goals of economic growth and prosperity. Rate of success of a company involved in export can be evaluated by export performance. There is no consensus about how to measure export performance. Global competition has put great pressure on export-based companies to set new and effective strategies in order to compete in the world market. Identifying the determinants of export performance in order to improve export performance is the most important factor of balance between economies of country with the global economy.

Export market exploitation and exploration and performance

Purpose – Drawing on the resource advantage and organisational learning literatures, this paper aims to investigate the linear, moderated, complementary and non-linear effects of export market exploitation and exploration on export performance. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative study was performed using an online survey. The final sample consisted of 267 Portuguese export manufacturing firms. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings – Export market exploitation and exploration is positively and negatively related to export performance in a linear way, respectively. Export market exploration improves export performance under high levels of export market turbulence. Balancing export market exploitation with export market exploration enhances export performance. High levels of export market exploitation provide an additional boost to performance. Practical implications – This study contributes to a better understanding of how market exploitation and exploration relate to performance in the export context. To enhance export performance, managers should deploy high levels of export market exploitation, pursue export market exploration in dynamic export markets, and maintain a balance between export market exploitation and exploration. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the export marketing field by shedding light on the complex nature of the relationships among export market exploitation, exploration and performance. Overall, the results provide novel evidence concerning the internal and external contingencies that affect the success of export market exploitation and exploration.

In the Wake of the Global Crisis: Evidence from a New Quarterly Database of Export Competitiveness

Over the past two decades, international trade has become a privileged engine of growth for much of the developing world. With the global economy evolving continuously and rapidly, countries must pay close attention to their positioning on the map of global trade and production. Within this framework, countries must also become aware of how they fare relative to competitors and to their past export performance. Of particular importance is the extent to which their performance is driven by exporter own supply-side capacity as opposed to external or compositional factors, including product and geographical specialization and how these trends compare across countries. This paper describes a new initiative that uses quarterly data for 2005q1-2013q1 to compute comparable indicators of export performance for 228 countries and territories. The database, the Export Competitiveness Database, reveals interesting patterns in trade performance. Export performance, stripped of compositional effects, was strongest for countries from the Asia and Pacific region, on average. Moreover, such performance was almost entirely driven by exporting country specific factors, with changes reflecting growth in volume rather than price developments. All emerging and developing regions have, on average, improved export performance. The indicators in the database trace the legacy of supply-side capacity and the overall export performance of the double-dip recession in the euro area. An illustrative set of results suggests that the paper's measure of competitiveness correlates to a country's nominal and real effective exchange rate, factors that are commonly perceived as important determinants of competitiveness.