Organizational learning capability and export performance in Brazilian manufacturing firms: frugal innovation as a mediator and necessary condition

Purpose This study examines how exporters from an emerging economy leverage organizational learning capability (OLC) to achieve export performance (EP). It investigates frugal innovation (FI) as a capability pathway linking OLC to EP and explores whether OLC and FI act as necessary conditions for attaining higher levels of FI and EP. Design/methodology/approach The study uses survey data from 172 manufacturing exporters in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) estimates the direct and mediating relationships among OLC, FI and EP, while necessary condition analysis (NCA) identifies capability bottlenecks associated with higher levels of FI and EP. Findings The results show that OLC is positively associated with FI and EP, and that FI is positively associated with EP. FI partially mediates the OLC–EP relationship. The NCA results indicate that OLC is necessary for attaining higher levels of FI, while OLC and FI constitute significant, medium-sized necessary conditions for attaining higher levels of EP. Practical implications Managers in emerging-market exporters should develop learning routines that support experimentation, external interaction and frugal market adaptation before expecting higher export outcomes. Originality/value The study contributes to emerging-market export research by positioning FI as an internationalization-related capability pathway. It also complements net-effect explanations of EP with a necessity-based perspective, showing that high EP may depend on minimum levels of learning capability and resource-efficient innovation.