Export Performance: Evolution of a Concept and Challenges for Future Research

A review of 16 years (1994-2009) of literature on export performance was undertaken in order to uncover how the construct has been conceptually defined and operationally represented in empirical research. A generic analytical framework to characterize the construct – which builds on, and improves on, frameworks previously presented in the literature – is advanced. A total of 128 empirical studies were identified and classified according to the comprehensive framework dimensions and categories. Historical trends are analyzed and strengths and weaknesses of past empirical research on the measurement of the construct are discussed and guidelines for best practices on how to conceptualize and measure the export performance construct are presented. Such guidelines are expected to improve construct validity and, as a consequence, lead to more robust theory development about the nomological relationships involving the export performance construct.