Common Factors Underlying Barriers to Export: Studies in the U.S. Paper Industry

This paper identifies five factors that cluster belief about the importance of barriers to export held by executives in strategic business units involved in export of paper products or contemplating such export. These factors were evaluated in respect to the international business literature and labeled as national export policy, comparative marketing distance, lack of export commitment, exogenous economic constraints, and competitive rivalry. This analysis revealed a minor appreciation of the importance of competitive rivalry and a high appreciation of the barrier provided by exogenous economic constraints. The other three factors assumed intermediate positions of importance among the five factors.© 1985 JIBS. Journal of International Business Studies (1985) 16, 111–123