Title: SME export performance, capabilities and emerging markets: the impact of institutional voids

Authors: Yusaf H. Akbar; Bernardo Balboni; Guido Bortoluzzi; Andrea Tracogna

Addresses: CEU Business School, Central European University, Frankel Leo út 30-32, 1023 Budapest, Hungary ' DEAMS 'Bruno de Finetti', University of Trieste, Via Valerio 4/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy ' DEAMS 'Bruno de Finetti', University of Trieste, Via Valerio 4/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy ' DEAMS 'Bruno de Finetti', University of Trieste, Via Valerio 4/1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Abstract: In this paper we address the theme of the export performance of the SME in the context of emerging markets. Surveying a sample of 200 exporting SMEs, we test specific hypotheses concerning the role of Institutional Voids (IVs) both in directly affecting the export performance of the SME and in moderating the positive impact of the SME's resources and capabilities. Our results show that while directly hampering the export performance of the SME, IVs also have a negative moderating role on the firm's marketing capabilities.

Keywords: SME export performance; emerging markets; SME resources; SME capabilities; institutional voids; marketing capabilities; internationalisation knowledge; exporting SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2017.082533

European Journal of International Management, 2017 Vol.11 No.2, pp.201 - 226

Received: 26 Jun 2015
Accepted: 09 Feb 2016

Published online: 28 Feb 2017 *

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