This study aims at investigating the influence that entrepreneurial orientation has on export\nperformance of Portuguese footwear small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, a\nquantitative methodological approach was used, conducting a descriptive, exploratory and\ntransversal empirical study, having applied a questionnaire to a sample of Portuguese companies\nexporting footwear. The research results suggest that entrepreneurial orientation enhances\nexport performance in the analysed SMEs, particularly innovation and proactiveness, through the\namount of funds invested, human resources dedicated to this activity, number of new products or\nservices introduced in the market and frequent change in product lines or services and\nmaterialization of a long-term perspective, which is accompanied by innovative activities or new\nbusinesses. Therefore, the findings sustain the necessity to invest in entrepreneurial orientation\nas a strategic determinant, which contributes to the growth of small firms in foreign markets.\nFinally, this study makes an important contribution to the theory of strategic management, by\npresenting entrepreneurial orientation as a strategic determinant that contributes to the\nclarification of export performance.
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