ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS, ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM IRAN

This study empirically examined the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) andexport performance through a model in which environmental dynamism, hostility and uncertaintyplay an antecedent role for EO. The questionnaire of the study was applied to 183 decision makersin charge of exports in Iranian SME's in food industry, which regularly export their products toEastern European countries. Structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze thegathered data. The finding from analyses support the conceptual framework of the study and obtainedresults indicated that innovativeness, as one of the EO dimensions, is the most effective strategy forSME's and help them to deal with the turbulent environmental condition and improve their exportperformance.