The Effect of Firm and Top Executive Characteristics on SMEs Export Performance in Turkey

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of both firm and top executive characteristics on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) export performance. Research hypotheses developed within the framework of related literature are tested using primary data from 257 firms, accessed via KOSGEB database. The findings indicate that firm and top executive characteristics affect export performance at different levels. As findings provide evidence for a positive relationship between internationalization speed and technology level in those firms and SMEs export performance, there also exists a positive relationship between entrepreneurial levels and social networking actions of executives and export performance. The results of this analysis show that top executives entrepreneurship levels and social capitals are more effective on SMEs export performance, rather than their demographic characteristics. The study contributes to the literature in terms of revealing what are the characteristics of firms and top executives which impact the export performance of SMEs.