International trade management competencies

Abstract

This study surveyed 141 foreign-owned and Chinese-owned exporting Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) located in China. The results indicated that financial management was ranked as the highest level of competencies occupied, followed by marketing, export operation and human resource management, respectively. The most serious internal barriers encountered were connected with know-how competencies. While government export policy and treatments, were the most frequently quoted external barriers. Highly successful firms did occupy higher level of international trade management competencies than those low successful firms. The findings suggest that knowledge based-economic policy should be considered as one of the most effective policy for fostering SME internationalisation sustainable development. Copyright © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.