Enhancing International Entrepreneurship: Analyzing the Key Factors Influencing Export Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka
Enhancing International Entrepreneurship: Analyzing the Key Factors Influencing Export Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

Summary/Abstract: The limited availability of sound economic strategies to provide opportunities to enter into international markets has negatively impacted the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector during the recent years. While identifying the importance of the SME sector’s contribution to and impact on the Sri Lankan economy, this study’s objective is to analyze the key elements that directly influence the export performance of these enterprises within an economic context. The impacts of government support, access to trade finance, technological adoption and infrastructure and logistics support on the export performance of SMEs were measured employing the quantitative technique regression analysis. The analysis proved that access to trade finance and government support were the two key factors influencing export performance of Sri Lanka’s SME sector. Recommendations are proposed to enhance access to trade finance and increase government support to create more opportunities for international entrepreneurship, thereby increasing export performance of Sri Lankan SMEs. The identified key elements and recommendations herein, will help governments and other stakeholders of emerging economies to take necessary actions to overcome economic downturns through enhanced export performance of the SME sector and international entrepreneurship.

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