Investigating the Challenges of Export Development for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in East Azerbaijan Province

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Instructor, Development Management Research Group, Development and Planning Research Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tabriz, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Development and Planning Research Institute, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tabriz, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, The Center for Development Research and Foresight (CDRF), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Export development in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) requires a coordinated and multi-dimensional approach that aligns sectoral collaboration with innovative policy and managerial responses. This study analyzes the key challenges constraining export development among SMEs in East Azerbaijan Province. The research is applied in purpose and adopts a mixed-method design using interviews and a structured questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, managers, experts, and export-related stakeholders constituted the study population. Fifteen export experts were interviewed to identify the main determinants and barriers. In the quantitative phase, 238 respondents were selected through random sampling based on Cochran’s formula, and the proposed framework was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that economic, structural, managerial, political–legal, marketing, technological, socio-cultural, and supplier-related factors significantly influence SME export development. Based on the Friedman ranking test, economic factors are the most critical constraints, whereas socio-cultural factors rank lowest among the identified challenges. The findings provide evidence-based insights for policymakers and export-support institutions seeking to design targeted interventions to strengthen SMEs’ export capabilities.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Economic Policies and Research
Volume 4, Issue 4 - Serial Number 16
December 2025
Pages 165-200

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 09 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 August 2025
  • Publish Date: 22 December 2025

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