Abstract
The study examines the exporting challenges faced by Chinese exporting SMEs, and the factors that influence performances of such firms the most. Taking the Leonidou (2004) framework for external barriers, the study explores internal and external exporting barriers, paternalistic leadership style, market orientation, product innovation and management characteristics as variables to measure against export performances.A survey was conducted using a sample of 304 SMEs from China. No single sector was the focus, and hence the chosen SMEs were from various sectors such as the clothing, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and FMCGs. SMEs chosen were dispersed across four major regions in the country such as Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Guangdong. Sample data were analysed using the SPSS to ensure hypothesis tests were evidence based as required by the quantitative research methodology.
The research finding suggest that not all barriers in Leonidou framework influence Chinese SMEs. The impact of some factors like informational economic and socio-cultural does not negatively influence Chinese exporting SMEs however they serve good indicator of the firms’ performances. Apart from price and financial barriers, distribution and logistics and functional barriers negatively influence exporting SMEs in China. Other external barriers relevant to the government, tasks, and procedures do not negatively influence firm performances, and these findings contradict a number of studies that are discussed in the research. Research also contributes to field of market orientation, paternalistic leadership, product innovation and management characteristics in a number of ways.
| Date of Award | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Paul Peachey (Supervisor) & Ramdane Djebarni (Supervisor) |