Determinants of export success factors: perception of Greek food and drink export companies

Abstract

This research paper aims to examine the perception the Greek food and drink exporters regarding the determinants of export success factors. Several variables were examined, such as firm's size, export experience, commitment to exports, adaptability to new markets, product quality, price and product innovation. The quantitative research methods was used and questionnaires were sent in 772 companies of the food and drink sector. The author received 104 replies (13.5% response rate), from which the 95 were utilized, and analyzed with the help of the SPSS statistics software package. Interestingly the findings of this paper show that the factors examined more often in literature regarding the impact they have on export performance (the success factors), were not significant. Firm's size, export experience, adaptability to new markets, product quality, price and product innovation are not related to export performance for Greek food and drink exporters, while commitment to exports has a weak positive correlation with export performance. The findings also suggest a change in the Greek food and drink exporters' profile. The findings of this study provide a useful tool for food and drink producers that want to start exporting, as well as a source for future research on relevant topics.