Small Business Exports Research Articles

International Dynamic Marketing Capabilities of Emerging-Market Small Business on E-Commerce

For better export marketing strategies (EMS), companies mobilize their internal resources, which are managerial commitment, firm experience, and product uniqueness. However, Small businesses with constrained resources cannot be well explained with this view. So, more research on how small businesses come up with EMS has been called for. To explain how resource-restricted firms rely heavily on entrepreneurs, this study adopted the concept of dynamic managerial capabilities (DMCs) and resource versatility to better explain small business exports. We analyzed small businesses in Mongolia with qualitative research methods, including interviews with entrepreneurs and support organizations, site visits, and group discussions. We suggest international dynamic marketing capabilities (IDMCs), which are entrepreneurial orientation, networking capability, and versatile dynamic capability for small businesses. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Returning to drive small business exports: diaspora entrepreneurs in Ghana's fruit processing clusters

Returnee entrepreneur (RE) businesses have extensively contributed to economies around the world. However, REs ability to galvanise and coordinate local business networks and permeate the international markets within countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have mostly been overlooked, particularly in the context of exporting activities in Africa. This paper posits that diaspora 'returnee entrepreneurs' can become potent channels for the promotion and facilitation of the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. An original piece of empirical research on two exporting food processing clusters in Ghana shows that REs can introduce external technology, develop and sustain international customer networks and are able to meet international standards, thus becoming carriers for internationalisation from the onset. African returnees are able to build trust-based relationships within home country formal business structures and establish strong ties with international customers that accommodate operational and institutional bottlenecks.

Returning to drive small business exports: diaspora entrepreneurs in Ghana's fruit processing clusters

Returnee entrepreneur (RE) businesses have extensively contributed to economies around the world. However, REs ability to galvanise and coordinate local business networks and permeate the international markets within countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have mostly been overlooked, particularly in the context of exporting activities in Africa. This paper posits that diaspora 'returnee entrepreneurs' can become potent channels for the promotion and facilitation of the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. An original piece of empirical research on two exporting food processing clusters in Ghana shows that REs can introduce external technology, develop and sustain international customer networks and are able to meet international standards, thus becoming carriers for internationalisation from the onset. African returnees are able to build trust-based relationships within home country formal business structures and establish strong ties with international customers that accommodate operational and institutional bottlenecks.

THE ROLE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN US EXPORTS

The article analyzes small business exports trends; the obstacles in the field of the exports promotion in terms of both the number of small businesses that export and the value of existing small business exporters. The value of small business accounts for one-third of the US total exports, and units with less than 50 employees are leading in raising their exports. Special attention is paid for the influence of the digital engagement on small business’ exports, considering that digital tools make it possible to expand overseas. It is pointed out that there are more barriers for small businesses exporting, comparing with larger ones; and they need help in a wide range of tools to make their business global. Some small companies feel exporting too expensive, or too difficult to be involved in the export process. While D. Trump made some protectionist steps, small business administration is required to perform several functions to support small businesses in their way to engage in international trade. It is also pointed out that agencies involved in supporting small businesses in their export process need coordination on federal, state, local levels.

How Home-Peers Affect the Export Market Exit of Small Firms: Evidence From Canadian Exporters

We investigate how home-peer entry density (the number of same-industry firms that originate from the same country and export to the same foreign market) affects the export market exit of small firms. Drawing on panel data from 41,445 Canadian small business exporters, we find a U-shaped relationship between home-peer entry density and small firms’ hazard of exit from an export market; that is, firms’ hazard of exit decreases as the home-peer density increases to a certain point and increases after that point. We also find that this U-shaped relationship is stronger for small firms that internationalize early.

The Relationship Between Internet Use and Perceptions of Barriers Facing Small Business Exporters in Developing Countries

This article studies the effect of electronic commerce on perceptions of export barriers in a developing country. Five categories of export barriers were evaluated in this study, including organizational barriers, operational barriers, psychological barriers, product and market barriers, and psychic distance barriers. Findings indicate that perceptions of organizational, operational, psychological, and product and market barriers did not differ significantly based on whether the exporters used electronic commerce or not. However, perceptions of psychic distance barriers were significantly higher in companies with Web sites. Psychic distance barriers included ignorance of the need to conduct research in foreign markets and difficulties with foreign representatives. Results show that the pattern of perception of barriers to export depended upon the kinds of barriers. The study contributes to an improved understanding of the use of electronic commerce for exporting small and medium enterprises in developing countries.

Implications for small business export promotion of differences between immigrant and involuntary minorities

Seventy minority-owned, high-tech, small business exporters participated in a survey to determine difficulties associated with various export activities and the areas of assistance desired by the firms. Consistent with anthropological theory, two subgroups had differing perceptions and needs. Involuntary minorities perceived more difficulties and desired more assistance from public sources than immigrant minorities. The latter, by virtue of language and country-specific knowledge, are determined to be further along the stages of internationalization.

Factors Influencing International Channel Choice of Small Business Exporters

Given the paucity of studies investigating international channel choice among small business exporters, examines the influence of selected variables on international channel choice decisions of small business exporters in one specific industry. Results of the analysis using the logistic multiple regression procedure show that three factors significantly distinguish small business exporters using independent channels from those using integrated channels. These factors are: first, company′s exports as a percentage of the total sales volume, second, international family heritage of the major export decision makers in the company, and third, importance of service requirements. The results indicate that firms with higher exports (as a percentage of the total sales volume) and stronger international family heritage tend to use independent channels, while firms with products for which the importance of service requirements is considered to be high tend to use integrated channels. Discusses the implications for the management of small business exports.

An Exploration into the Utility of State University Provided Export Assistance Programs for Small Businesses

To nurture the export capabilities of small businesses, the potential of state universities as resources was examined. Separate focus group sessions for small business exporters and nonexporters were held in four locations throughout Viginia to determine user information needs of the two classes. Findings suggest lhat universities can be helpful in providing information resource centers, continuing education, sponsored programs, and paid-for personal services.

The use of international direct marketing by small businesses in Canada, Mexico, and the United States: A comparative analysis

With the advent of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), small businesses in Canada, Mexico, and the United States are in a position to increase their export activities within the emerging North American trading bloc. While it is generally agreed upon that direct marketing makes good sense for small businesses interested in exporting, there remains a paucity of studies addressing this important topic. This article explores and compares the use of international direct marketing by small businesses located in three regions of the NAFTA countries. Our results confirm that small business exporters in all three countries are using international direct marketing, although there are significant differences in the level of their expertise.

Exports and Small Business in the Netherlands: Presence, Potential and Performance

PROFESSOR DR. A. R. THURIK IS director of fundamental research at the Research Institute of Small and Medium-sized Business in The Netherlands and professor of small business economics at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; he is also director of the Centre of Advanced Small Business Economics at EUR. This paper discusses the role of exports in The Netherlands, the actual small business share therein, some measures to stimulate exports and the hidden potential of small business. Additionally, it provides a description of a regression analysis of the performance differential between small and large businesses depending upon export share. It concludes with suggestions for an awareness programme for stimulating small business exports.