Abstract:
The study was conducted to identify the determinants of the export
performance of the value-added rubber products industry in Sri Lanka. This
research has identified the impact of several selected factors on the export
performance and the strength of those factors’ impact on the industry. The
research study was carried out by performing a comprehensive survey by
focusing exclusively on Sri Lankan value-added rubber products exporters.
Online questionnaire and interviews were used as research instruments to get the
feedback from a randomly selected sample which comprises more than fifty
percent of Sri Lankan value-added rubber products exporters. For the purpose of
analysis, descriptive statistics were comprehensively used. Determinants of
export performance have been identified by reviewing literature as firm
characteristics, marketing strategies, market characteristics, technical
capabilities and the investment portfolio. These variables’ relationships were
analyzed and positive correlation was identified with export performance. They
are firm characteristics and technical capabilities. Thus, Sri Lankan value-added
rubber products industry can improve their market performance by focusing the
enhancement of those two factors. Further, the technical capability was
identified as the most significant factor for the value-added rubber products’
export performance. Therefore it was recommended the manufacturers
&exporters to focus on their technical capabilities to gain more industry
performance.
