Towards an analysis of the determinants of exports in Brazil: the perspective of exporting companies

Abstract

PurposeFew studies have analysed the determinants of exports in emerging economies, which are critical in the exporting reality of firms. Two variables decisively affect the export performance of firms – their size and their export experience. This paper analyses the relationship between size and export experience in the export intensity of Brazilian firms. In addition, it considers two variables (location and sector) that identify firms in Brazil and could affect their export intensity. This research answers the question of which characteristics of Brazilian companies determine their export intensity.Design/methodology/approachA statistically significant sample of 318 firms is collected from Brazilian exporting companies. Regression analysis is performed, and data describing the relationship between the export determinants and the export intensity of Brazilian firms are presented. Three evaluation models are proposed. In the first, the location and sector variables are considered. In the second, the firm size, firm location and sector are presented. In the third, the firm size, export experience, location and sector are proposed.FindingsThe results of the third model confirm that only export experience is statistically significant. Therefore, there is no relationship between firms' size, location and sector and export intensity for companies in Brazil.Originality/valueThis work shows the organisational characteristics that affect export performance in Brazil from the firm’s perspective; these are aspects that have been analysed less in emerging economies.

Chinese High-Tech Export Performance: Effects of Intellectual Capital Mediated by Dynamic and Risk Management Capabilities

“…We opted to measure risk management capabilities based on existing studies in the context of Chinese high-tech exporting and measured them reflectively using five indicators, drawn from those suggested by Mu et al (2014) and Wang and Zhao (2010), as shown in Table 2. To measure export performance, we used three indicators that were applied by Robertson and Chetty (2000): export intensity, defined as export sales as a percent of total sales (Boughanmi et al, 2007; Fenwick & Amine, 1979; Gil et al, 2022); export profitability (Bilkey, 1978, 1982; Christensen et al, 1987; Leung & Sharma, 2021); and export growth rate (Robertson & Chetty, 2000). In this study, export performance was measured using subjective information in place of objective data (Churchill & Peter, 1984; Gil et al, 2022) since it is not easy to obtain “hard” financial data from companies and it is impossible to publicly verify the accuracy of financial performance figures (Fiorito & LaForge, 1986; Sapienza et al, 1988).…”

“…To measure export performance, we used three indicators that were applied by Robertson and Chetty (2000): export intensity, defined as export sales as a percent of total sales (Boughanmi et al, 2007;Fenwick & Amine, 1979;Gil et al, 2022); export profitability (Bilkey, 1978(Bilkey, , 1982Christensen et al, 1987;Leung & Sharma, 2021); and export growth rate (Robertson & Chetty, 2000). In this study, export performance was measured using subjective information in place of objective data (Churchill & Peter, 1984;Gil et al, 2022) since it is not easy to obtain ''hard'' financial data from companies and it is impossible to publicly verify the accuracy of financial performance figures (Fiorito & LaForge, 1986;Sapienza et al, 1988). As a five-point Likert scale was used in the previous studies cited above, the scale was also used in this research.…”

Heterogeneity, sunk cost, and export performance: A firm level study of Pakistan's textile sector

“…Mataveli et al [ 34 ] investigated 318 Brazilian exporting firms and reported that export experience boosted the export intensity of the firms. However, the firm's size and location could not affect the export intensity.…”