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Benchmarking Firm-level Resources, Capabilities, and Postures Driving Export Performance of SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Celec Robert

    (RIS Dvorec Rakičan, Murska Sobota, Slovenia)

  • Globocnik Dietfried

    (Department of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Alpen-Adria Universitaet Klagenfurt, Austria)

Abstract

This paper aimed to identify success factors of export performance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on the resource-based view, the dynamic capability view, and international entrepreneurship theory, we extracted relevant assets, capabilities, and postures at the firm level. An extended benchmarking method was applied to empirically test the proposed success factors with a cross-sectional sample of 99 Slovenian SMEs. The results highlight the crucial role of management competence, financial and human resources, market orientation, negotiation flexibility, and a proactive and risk-taking posture to achieve superior export performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Celec Robert & Globocnik Dietfried, 2017. "Benchmarking Firm-level Resources, Capabilities, and Postures Driving Export Performance of SMEs," Naše gospodarstvo/Our economy, Sciendo, vol. 63(1), pages 47-58, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ngooec:v:63:y:2017:i:1:p:47-58:n:5
    DOI: 10.1515/ngoe-2017-0005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Export performance; resource-based view; dynamic capabilities; entrepreneurial orientation; SME; benchmark;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M30 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - General

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