The impact of firm characteristics on export barriers: The Algerian case

This study aims to analyze and identify the impact of various firm-specific characteristics on their perceptions of export barriers. Specifically, it evaluates the relationship between firm size, age, legal form, ownership structure, and export barriers of Algerian firms toward African destinations, in a double crisis context (Algerian Hirak and COVID-19). During the first part of 2020, an email questionnaire was sent to 700 Algerian enterprises involved in exports. The data was subjected to multiple regression analysis for analysis. The findings indicate that the perception of obstacles to exporting is impacted by the age and size of the firm. The association between export barriers and ownership structure and legal form was shown to be statistically significant. There is a paucity of research examining the impact of firm characteristics on export barriers, as existing studies mostly focus on the association between firm characteristics and export performance, with a predominant emphasis on developed countries. Therefore, this research makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of knowledge about the relationship between firm characteristics and export restrictions. It achieves this by conducting an analysis specifically focused on Algerian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby offering significant policy implications. In a similar vein, it is recommended that public authorities direct targeted export program initiatives at small and very small enterprises, as well as private- and mixed-owned firms, including those operating under the legal structure of a Joint Stock Company. Furthermore, it is imperative for executive managers to consider the findings of the present study to adapt their export strategies and overcome the export barriers to African destinations.