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Determinants of export performance: differences between service and manufacturing SMEs

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  • Anna Lejpras

    (BSP Business School Berlin)

Abstract

We explore the relationships among knowledge sourcing, innovativeness, and export performance of a firm, and investigate how these links differ between service and manufacturing companies. Based on survey data from 4347 East German firms, we develop a structural equation model which enables us to disentangle the direct and indirect (via innovativeness) impact of knowledge sourcing on a firm’s export performance. We find that both internal and external knowledge influence a firm’s exports both directly path and indirectly via firm innovativeness (mediator variable). For service firms, external knowledge sourcing is more important for enhancing internal knowledge and innovativeness than for manufacturing companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Lejpras, 2019. "Determinants of export performance: differences between service and manufacturing SMEs," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 13(1), pages 171-198, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:svcbiz:v:13:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11628-018-0376-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11628-018-0376-7
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