SMEs innovation capabilities and export performance: an entrepreneurial orientation view

Abstract

Although there are several studies analysing how innovation capabilities influence export performance, this study aims to present the impact of a set of internal innovation capabilities on export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs), with the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation contingent upon the proactive or reactive behaviour of the firms to external stimuli. The study involves the analysis of 147 questionnaire-based survey of managers from plastic manufacturing SMEs operating in Portugal that were subjected to a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that proactive firms to external stimuli are not only better at innovating but also their entrepreneurial orientation capabilities underpin a better performance in international markets when compared with firms that react to external stimuli. This study has implications for SMEs aiming at increasing their export performance and innovativeness. For practitioners the findings of this study should enable SMEs owner/managers to better understand the possible impacts of innovation capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation on export performance, and thus lead to more effective SMEs management.

Keywords:

• innovation capabilities
• export performance
• entrepreneurship orientation
• SMEs
• proactive behaviour
• reactive behaviour

JEL Classification:

• M16
• L26
• O32

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cláudia P. Ribau

Cláudia P. RIBAU has a PhD in Marketing and Strategy at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds a post-graduation in Marketing from IPAM, Portugal, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Communications from Fernando Pessoa University, Portugal. She is Lecturer at ISCIA, Portugal.

António C. Moreira

António C. MOREIRA has a PhD in Management from UMIST-University of Manchester, England. He is Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism from the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He is member of GOVCOPP.

Mário Raposo

Mário RAPOSO has a PhD in Management, is full Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at University of Beira Interior, Portugal, where he is the Vice rector of the University. He has experience in coordinating several scientific projects financed by EU funds. He is the member of the editorial board of several scientific journals. He is Vice President for Portugal of the ECSB.