Internal key factors in export performance : A comparative analysis in the Italian and Spanish textile‐clothing sector (part 1)

Purpose – This is the first part of two papers which examine the Italian and Spanish textile‐clothing sector The purpose of this paper is to analyse the key factors in the international performance of textile manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a comparative study of the main factors that have affected the export performance of the Spanish and Italian businesses. A wide range of factors has been studied, such as size, dispersion of sales and export experience. In order to compare Spanish and Italian cases, the empirical study used a standardized questionnaire for collecting data. The cases analysed were respective geographical zones with a great tradition in textile‐clothing industry in their country, Catalonian (in the Spanish case) and Lombardian business (in the Italian case). Findings – It was found that international experience is the main factor in the export performance for both cases but the investment in R&D and the export experience have been the keys for explaining the major export performance of the Italian businesses. Research limitations/implications – The sample is formed basically for small textile‐clothing businesses (with less than five employees). Originality/value – The paper explains why the Lambardian textile‐clothing companies export more, in relation to total sales, than the Catalan companies in the same sector. The general character of the study suggests new future lines of investigation.