Inter-Firm Collaboration and Export Performance: A Mediation Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31384/jisrmsse/2023.21.2.4Keywords:
interfirm collaboration, industry export performance, firm export performance, Small and midsize enterprisesAbstract
This study aims to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to collaborate to enhance export rate. It investigates the influence of inter-firm collaboration on industry export performance and how this relationship is mediated by firm export performance in SMEs of Pakistan. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed among 491 respondents (professionals of the SMEs involved in exports). This study analysed the data employing structural equation modeling to determine the relationship among variables; firm export performance, inter-firm collaboration and industry export performance. Mediation analysis was tested using Baron and Kenny’s procedure. Results revealed that inter-firm collaboration is an important factor in enhancing industry export performance and this relationship is significantly mediated by firm export performance. Industry export performance is an essential element for SMEs survival and growth. The study contributes theoretically and empirically by analysing the role of inter-firm collaboration in economic development and provides important implications for owners, managers, policymakers of SMEs, and export-related government agencies on improving cooperation.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Khalid Mehmood, Muhammad Yasir, Abdul Majid, Asad Javed
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