The previous literature highlighted the importance of export assistance to uplift export activities of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). However, those studies could not test the feasibility of introduced export assistance for the targeted population. This study focuses on export assistance provided by the government institutions to the handloom exporters and its relationship with their perceived quantitative export performance. A detailed literature review of the existing export assistance programmes led to the categorization in four aspects, that is, financial support, informational support, facilitating support, and education/training support. A model is proposed based on identified variables depicting the relationship between export assistance and handloom exporters’ perceived quantitative export performance. In order to develop the model, first-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was initially applied for validity measures. Subsequently, second-order CFA was applied due to the presence of multicollinearity among the variables due to the undistinguishable response of the chosen sample units towards export assistance. Thus, the study investigated the relationship of each of the four identified export assistance elements with the quantitative performance of Handloom exporters.

This study identified the export antecedents that could influence the occurrence of export performance of the industry. The export antecedents are the phenomenon that acts as a backend support system for effective export performance. This study aims to build a simple linear model representing the structural relationship between the export antecedents and export performance. The model building is based on the identified antecedents and attempts to reflect the combined gist of pre-established theories, that is, contingency theory, resource-based view and dynamic capabilities. In data interpretation, second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) helps to analyse the combined impact of all studied antecedents on export performance. The identified antecedents are export knowledge, export perception, export commitment, export strategy and organizational capability as independent variables tested against the dependent variable export performance.

This study focuses on export assistance determinants and qualitative export performance determinants of the handloom industry. Additionally, the effect of export assistance needs to check on export performance determinants. The study found the determinants from the extensive literature review. A model is proposed based on identified determinants, and the hypotheses developed accordingly. Initially, first-order CFA is applied for validity measures and then second-order CFA due to presence of multicollinearity among the determinants. Second-order CFA analyses the combined effect of all studied determinants with the help of structural equation modelling. The four determinants of export assistance and five determinants of export performance are identified from the extensive literature. The financial support construct influences the export assistance majorly that is represented through high correlation coefficient and mixed response for other determinants. Overall, the combined effect of export assistance is positive on export performance determinants. There is a need to establish the functions of various export assistances based on their characteristics, and this study helps in operational classification of assistance based on identified determinants. Additionally, the impact of individual assistance can measure the changes in the export performance determinants of the handloom industry.

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