The Influence Of Firm Level Factors On Export Performance Of Small And Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes)

Abstract

Increasingly firms are looking beyond their traditional domestic markets and focusing on high growth expo11 markets to not only grow, but also to enhance their competitiveness (Leonidou and Katsikeas, 1996; Piercy et ah, 1998; Ural, 2009). Despite the increasing importance of exporting 111 international business, its foundations for success at firm level have remained elusive. This PaPer seeks to examine the interrelationships between firm level (organisational) factors, that is, firm characteristics and competencies, export marketing strategy, entrepreneurial orientation, anc^ export performance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) from the perspective of the resources based view of the firm. The paper closes with a proposed conceptual framework and hypotheses.