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An exploratory study of international strategic choices for exporting firms in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Okpara John O.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
thunderbird international business review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.553
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1520-6874
pISSN - 1096-4762
DOI - 10.1002/tie.21478
Subject(s) - competition (biology) , business , international market , industrial organization , export performance , exploratory research , marketing , international trade , ecology , sociology , anthropology , biology
International markets offer potential opportunities for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing markets in terms of export growth and performance. Notwithstanding these benefits, many SMEs in Nigeria have not initiated exports or have faced problems in competing in the export markets. The aim of this article is to examine strategic choices available for SME exporting firms in Nigeria. Results of data analysis revealed that the three types of strategy orientations pursued by firms for dealing with competition in export markets are low cost, differentiation, and differentiation focus strategies. Findings also showed that low cost and differentiation strategies are significantly and positively related to export performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.