Abstract

While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are playing a vital role in the development process of countries, there is lack of studies examining the issue of international competitiveness of SMEs. Therefore this study fills this gap. The objective of this paper is to identify and explain determinants of international competitiveness of SMEs from developing economies, Bangladesh. Primary data from a sample of 130 SMEs in agriculture and agro-processed goods-oriented industries in Bangladesh were analysed using logistic model to empirically identify the determinants of SMEs international competitiveness. Results suggest that the access to finance, entrepreneurial factors, government policies, technological factors and number of countries to export are significant determinants of exports of SMEs. Findings of this study are of greater importance to the SMEs and policymakers of developing economies like Bangladesh, because on the one side, using findings of this study, managers of SMEs can run their organizations in a manner to compete with their counterparts throughout the world. On the hand concerned policy makers can use these findings to undertake conducive polices to foster export business of SMEs which ultimately will lead to the acceleration of the economic growth of the country.

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