Gibson D. Lewis
Center for Business Research and Economic Development
A SIMPLE EXPORT COUNTRY-MARKET SCREENING TECHNIQUE FOR SMALL US BUSINESSES:
A PACKAGED GOOD ILLUSTRATION
Jose F. Medina
Joel Saegert
John Merrifield University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
Abstract
US small businesses are in need of processes and techniques that help them alleviate the difficult experience of choosing foreign markets. Using a generic screening process, this paper explains the stages, the screening criteria, and the ranking techniques for selecting country-markets. The paper illustrates the application of Shift-Share Analysis (SSA) as a simple technique to rank country-market potentials. Results from an analysis of a packaged good show that SSA is an adequate ranking technique to identify preliminary country prospects. Implications for small businesses and future research are given.
Gibson D. Lewis
Center For Business and
Economic Development
SHSU Box 2056
Huntsville TX 77341-2056
936-294-1518 Center Office
936-294-3957 Center Fax