The export marketing information system: an integration of the extant knowledge

Abstract

This article provides an integrative review of extant knowledge on the export marketing information system, based on input received from 27 studies conducted on the subject. A detailed analysis of research into the constituent parts of the system revealed that this is too atheoretic, fragmented, repetitive, non-programmatic, and inconsistent. Despite these weaknesses, it was concluded that: (a) with the exception of company size, the role of antecedent factors in influencing information behavior is not very clear; (b) the emphasis of export information needs is on customers, competitors, and pricing; (c) information is mainly acquired on a person-to-person basis; (d) the dissemination of information, although superficially examined, tends to be bottom-up and casual (e) proper information utilization enhances the quality of export management decisions, while at the same time satisfying the individual needs of decision makers; and (f) export performance is positively influenced by the synergistic rather than the individual effect of information behavior components.