International Differences in the Perceptions of Export Obstacles By SMEs in the Same Firm-Level Characteristics: Evidence from European Countries

Abstract Research background: Most of SMEs encounter many impediments when performing direct exporting activities. This is because various countries have different legislative and tax burdens and cultural-linguistic diversities that create export barriers for SMEs from other countries. Even SMEs that are the same size, age, from the same sector or legal form, their perceptions of export obstacles might differ depending on countries where they are located. Purpose: This research investigates the differences between the export obstacle perceptions of SMEs from different countries but with the same firm-level characteristics Research methodology: To achieve this aim, the researchers apply a random sampling method to determine the research sample. Moreover, the researchers created an online questionnaire to gather the research data. Finally, 408 SMEs from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary have been analyzed by performing a Kruskal-Wallis analyses with the Dunnett T3 Post Hoc Test to achieve the aims of the research. Results: The empirical results express the differences and the similarities between the perceptions of export obstacles by SMEs. While the perceptions of Czech-Hungarian and Slovak-Hungarian SMEs do not differ in any same firm-level characteristics, the differences exist between Czech and Slovak SMEs that are smaller in size, older and, that have limited liability and sector categories. Compare with their Czech counterparts in these categories, Slovak SMEs perceive export obstacles less intensively. The approaches of a government on SMEs and investment freedom in a nation and the exporting patterns of SMEs might be the reasons for these similarities and differences among SMEs in various countries which are in the same age, size, sector and legal form categories. Novelty: The significant results that this research proves in same firm-level characteristics and an international context makes this paper unique research in the literature. Therefore, policy makers, academicians, SMEs, and financing institutions might gain many benefits from the findings of this study.