Firm Size and Export Behavior: Lessons from the Midwest

The relationship between firm size, export experience, and export attitudes is examined. The data were gathered by questionnaires mailed to corporations in 3 midwestern states - Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska - with 195 usable responses obtained. The results challenged some commonly held beliefs abo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of small business management 1991-04, Vol.29 (2), p.71
Main Authors: Ali, Abbas, Swiercz, Paul M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
Exporters
International trade
Perceptions
Size of enterprise
Small business
Statistical analysis
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Summary:The relationship between firm size, export experience, and export attitudes is examined. The data were gathered by questionnaires mailed to corporations in 3 midwestern states - Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska - with 195 usable responses obtained. The results challenged some commonly held beliefs about small firm interest in exporting. Firm size did not influence attitudes toward exporting. The domination of export markets by large firms is not the consequence of unfavorable attitudes held by managers in small and mid-sized firms. However, managers in smaller firms held different views on the attributes required for international business success. They expressed greater concern about the cross-cultural skills and the spouse and family qualities required of international managers. This suggests that small size has an isolation effect. The results demonstrate that the small business exporting environment is more complex than previously thought.
ISSN:0047-2778
1540-627X