What affects the export entrepreneurship of SMEs?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the different drivers’ and its impact on the export entrepreneurship (EE) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed conceptual framework has been tested through analysis of a sample of 102 internationalized (exports) SMEs of the Engineering industry in the Bangalore district, Karnataka, India.

Findings

Results reveal that firms with younger entrepreneurs who have industry-specific experience and different social ties are able to achieve higher performance.

Practical implications

Overall, results facilitate understanding of the importance of entrepreneurial capabilities to successfully formulate and strategize their international efforts to achieve better performance in the international market.

Originality/value

The study enhances the importance of understanding the role of different drivers on EE in the context of an emerging economy where studies are limited and largely unexplored till date.

Citation

Santhosh, C. (2020), "What affects the export entrepreneurship of SMEs?", Review of International Business and Strategy, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 265-278. https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-06-2019-0086