Determinants of export performance in a European context

Drawing attention to certain important gaps in the exporting literature, develops and evaluates a model of export performance using a sample of regular exporters from a small European Union country, in their trading activities with overseas distributors. Integrates and views specific firm characteristics, export commitment and export‐related perception variables as potentially important factors in explaining firm performance in the export market context. Tests the model in a three‐step procedure employing multiple regression analysis and identifies several elements that are related directly to export performance. Discusses the implications of the study for both business practitioners and public policy makers and highlights future research directions.