Objective: In recent years, the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises as the main pillar of the economy of countries has become clear to everyone. Exporting has been proposed as one of the strategies of such companies for market development, mostly for survival and internationalization; however, due to their limitations, SMEs have less chance of success than large companies in this regard. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to develop a native model for export readiness assessment indicators for small and medium-sized enterprises in Iran.
Method: The present study uses a mixed method (data-driven theorizing for theory building and theory testing using structural equation modeling) to create a model for assessing the export readiness of small and medium-sized enterprises. In the theory building phase, 25 interviews were conducted with qualified individuals and the desired model was built based on 6 main categories and 25 subcategories. Then, various statistical tests were conducted on 198 samples to verify the model from different dimensions.
Results: Export readiness assessment indicators in Iranian small and medium-sized companies were obtained in this study. 6 main categories including the central phenomenon of the research (export readiness assessment), causal conditions affecting export readiness, conditions interfering with export readiness, strategies affecting export readiness, consequences of implementing export readiness and 25 subcategories were identified.
Conclusions: Small and medium-sized companies should increase their sensitivity to information acquisition in order to make the most of export opportunities. On the other hand, obtaining international standards and certificates is very attractive and effective for both the domestic market and success in foreign markets. Therefore, given their importance, a diligent effort should be made to obtain them.