Title: Export association drivers and SME export performance in a non-traditional export sector

Authors: Albert Martins; Sam Kris Hilton; Adam Salifu

Addresses: Department of Marketing, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana ' Research Department, Kricet Insight, 128 City Road, EC1V 2NX, London, UK ' Department of Business Administration, University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between export association drivers and SME export performance in response to the perceived non-performance of Ghanaian SME exporters in the international market. We adopt a mixed-method approach. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect qualitative data from 19 export associations (EAs) and analysed thematically, while a questionnaire was employed to collect quantitative data from 259 SME exporters and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and OLS. The results show that dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation, horizontal trust (trust among SME exporters); and vertical trust (trust for EA leaders) have significant positive relationship with SME export performance while actor bonds, activity links, resource ties (AAR) have insignificant positive relationship with SME export performance. Our study provides a valuable mechanism for evaluating SME export performance, which SME exporters, EAs and policymakers can apply within the non-traditional export sector.

Keywords: SME exporters; export association drivers; export performance; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2023.136872

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2023 Vol.13 No.4, pp.397 - 416

Accepted: 14 Aug 2023
Published online: 23 Feb 2024 *

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