Abstract
The study examines the relationship between competitive strategies and export market selection by small and medium-sized exporters in an emerging economy. Drawing from the literature on comparative advantages of exporters from developing countries and demand characteristics in export markets, hypotheses are constructed on how cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies are associated with exports to developed and developing countries. Survey data from 214 manufacturing SME exporters in Malaysia is used to empirically examine the relationships using ordinary least squares regression. The results suggest that cost strategies are positively associated with exports to developed countries but not developing countries. Differentiation strategies show the opposite effect, cost strategies and focus strategies are negatively associated with exports to both types of markets. This study contributes by demonstrating that competitive strategies act as a firm-level factor influencing export market selection. Implications and limitations of the study are presented.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 208-225 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | International Journal of Business and Globalisation |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Feb 2015 |
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Keywords
- Competitive strategies
- Emerging economies
- Export market selection
- Globalisation
- Malaysia
- SME exporters
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
Cite this
The role of competitive strategies on export market selection by SMEs in an emerging economy. / Ayob, Abu Hanifah; Che Senik, Zizah.
In: International Journal of Business and Globalisation, Vol. 14, No. 2, 13.02.2015, p. 208-225.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of competitive strategies on export market selection by SMEs in an emerging economy
AU - Ayob, Abu Hanifah
AU - Che Senik, Zizah
PY - 2015/2/13
Y1 - 2015/2/13
N2 - The study examines the relationship between competitive strategies and export market selection by small and medium-sized exporters in an emerging economy. Drawing from the literature on comparative advantages of exporters from developing countries and demand characteristics in export markets, hypotheses are constructed on how cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies are associated with exports to developed and developing countries. Survey data from 214 manufacturing SME exporters in Malaysia is used to empirically examine the relationships using ordinary least squares regression. The results suggest that cost strategies are positively associated with exports to developed countries but not developing countries. Differentiation strategies show the opposite effect, cost strategies and focus strategies are negatively associated with exports to both types of markets. This study contributes by demonstrating that competitive strategies act as a firm-level factor influencing export market selection. Implications and limitations of the study are presented.
AB - The study examines the relationship between competitive strategies and export market selection by small and medium-sized exporters in an emerging economy. Drawing from the literature on comparative advantages of exporters from developing countries and demand characteristics in export markets, hypotheses are constructed on how cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies are associated with exports to developed and developing countries. Survey data from 214 manufacturing SME exporters in Malaysia is used to empirically examine the relationships using ordinary least squares regression. The results suggest that cost strategies are positively associated with exports to developed countries but not developing countries. Differentiation strategies show the opposite effect, cost strategies and focus strategies are negatively associated with exports to both types of markets. This study contributes by demonstrating that competitive strategies act as a firm-level factor influencing export market selection. Implications and limitations of the study are presented.
KW - Competitive strategies
KW - Emerging economies
KW - Export market selection
KW - Globalisation
KW - Malaysia
KW - SME exporters
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84923131838&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84923131838&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1504/IJBG.2015.067436
DO - 10.1504/IJBG.2015.067436
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84923131838
VL - 14
SP - 208
EP - 225
JO - International Journal of Business and Globalisation
JF - International Journal of Business and Globalisation
SN - 1753-3627
IS - 2
ER -