Partial-least squares regression (PLS) is a statistical tool specifically designed to cope with problems like small datasets, missing values and the presence of multicollinearity . The paper proceeds first with a concise review of the PLS method.

With the conclusion of the Uruguay Round and the establishment of the World trade Organisation (WTO) in April 1994, a comprehensive set of rules emerged that affect in a pervasive manner the activities of firms on foreign markets.(...)