Export assistance : Another look at whether we are supporting the best programmes

Provides comparative empirical evidence drawn from studies carried out in the USA and the UK respectively. Indicates that even allowing for the time period between studies, differences exist in how managers from both US and UK exporting companies rate three sets of attributes in their international marketing effort. These sets of attributes are: those that are believed to be desired by importers; the possibility for improving performance of these factors by a change in emphasis by executives in the exporting firms; and the support required by firms in order to assist export activities. An implication of this research is that even allowing for the time difference between the two studies, the respective governments were not offering the type of assistance required by exporters within their countries. Questions the provision of export promotion programmes and suggests that policy makers must recognize that in order to make the best use of their limited resources, assistance should be focused on helping exporters meet the requirements of importers.