2 The Impact of Relational Variables on Export Performance: An Empirical Investigation in Australia and the UK

Abstract

The impact of relational variables on export performance is tested across two countries—the UK and Australia. The key drivers are shown to he two kinds of commitment: to the market (country), and to the relationship with the distributor, both of which begin with experiential data gathering, or social learning. The constructs are operationalised and tested with data from the early stages of export ventures by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The results support the importance of social learning and relational variables to export performance. © 2000, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.