The Impact of Firm and Managerial Characteristics on Small and Medium-Sized Greek Firms' Export Performance

In recent years small and medium-sized firms have taken their first steps towards internationalization. Exporting, the preferred mode of internationalization of smaller firms, has become more important and increasingly more difficult due to increased global competition. Thus, it is important to understand all the factors that make a small firm a successful exporter. This article reports on the findings of a study of small and medium-sized Greek firms. The relationships between managerial and firm characteristics and their relationship to export performance are investigated. Some of the managerial and firm-characteristics examined are: age of the decision maker, fluency in foreign languages, age and size of the firm.