• Korea Trade Review
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.261-277
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether SMEs' technological capabilities and international marketing capabilities affect the export performance of the SMEs and to empirically test the moderating effect of the CEO's risk propensity on such a relationship. We obtained data from 190 SMEs located in Gwangju and Jeonnam Province in Korea through survey and performed a regression analysis for hypothesis testing based on these data. As a result of the analysis, it was found that SMEs' technological capabilities and international marketing capabilities had a significantly positive (+) effect on export performance, respectively. Also, the CEO's risk propensity was found to reinforce the relationship between technical competence and export performance, and the relationship between marketing capabilities and export performance was also found to be strengthened in the positive (+) direction. These results suggest that it is necessary for SMEs to continuously develop technological capabilities and international marketing capabilities to achieve successful export performance in overseas markets. Also, the CEO's propensity to promote these relationships may be important.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.21-47
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• 2017

This study examines the effects of technological capability and domestic marketing capability of SMEs on the export market orientation, focusing on the moderating effect of market turbulence. This empirical analysis, based on surveys collected from 206 small and medium-sized firms located in Gwangju and Jeonnam provinces, yielded the following conclusions. First, technological capability of SMEs has a positive impact on export market orientation. This result not only is consistent with preceding studies but also suggests that when technological capability of SMEs is utilized as their own unique asset to reduce liability of smallness or liability of foreignness, the tendency to export might be increased. Second, domestic marketing capability of SMEs has a positive impact on export market orientation. This result suggests that as the domestic marketing capability of SMEs is used as prior knowledge reducing uncertainty to enter the overseas markets, the tendency to export might be increased. Third, as a result of examining moderating effect of market turbulence, it shows that market turbulence moderates the relationship between domestic marketing capability and export market orientation toward a negative(-) direction. That is, since market turbulence might weaken the relationship between domestic marketing capability and export market orientation, SMEs which belong to the industry considering marketing capability important need to develop strategy with consideration for market turbulence. This study provides theoretical and practical implications in that it reveals factors positively affecting export market orientation and market turbulence can be utilized as a moderator.