Author(s): Tayengwa Chitauro
This paper reviews literature on firm-level determinants of export performance, and major impediments to exports by firms. Furthermore, various objective and subjective export performance measurements are discussed. The findings indicate that, while landlocked developing countries have made some progress in terms of export expansion in recent decades, their export performance remains poor when compared to other developing economies. While landlockedness remains a constraint, these countries can improve their export performance by creating a more trade-friendly environment by lowering tariffs, reforming exchange rates, and participating in regional trade agreements. Firm managers in developing economies should put in place development programmes that encourage management to acquire overseas experience through regular visits to export markets to familiarise themselves with overseas operations. Exporters are urged to acquire the right type of training, international exposure and experiential knowledge to develop effective export operations through participation in export promotion programmes. The extent of adequate consideration given to these factors in future researches will go a long way to chart a course for the studies on export performance of firms in developing economies. This study contributes to the on-going discourse on the enhancing of the export performance in less developed countries, so as to increase national export earnings.