Participation of small business enterprises in international business operations: The case of Nigeria.

摘要

This study was a national survey of 300 small business enterprises in the United States (U.S.) which were currently involved in international business operations in Nigeria (Africa). This study examined the extent to which six selected factors (impediments and incentives) determine the participation of United States small business enterprises in business in Nigeria. The selected factors were social, legal, economic, political, technological, and regulatory and institutional factors (SLEPT). Specifically, the study sought to determine the importance of these six factors in decisions of small business enterprises (SBEs) to engage in exports to Nigeria. The factors examined were identified from a review of international business literature. The areas most reported in the literature review as impediments (barriers), or incentives were labeled as core factors. These factors were social, legal, economic, political, technical, regulatory and institutional in nature.; Using the identified factors as a guide, a three-part questionnaire was developed and mailed to 300 small businesses identified from lists secured from the U.S. Export Assistance Department of Trade and the Center for Trade and Technology Transfer, both located in Atlanta, Georgia. Of the 300 mailed questionnaires, 118 were received, of which 109 were useable, or a response rate of 39%.; The findings for this study were reported in descriptive, narrative form. The major findings showed that while the respondents considered the social, economic, political, technological, regulatory and institutional factors, most important determinants of participation in International Business Operations, the legal factors were considered insignificant for doing business in Nigeria. These findings were an anomaly because they did not support the well-documented empirical literature that concluded contrary.; Participants were concerned with continuity of Nigeria's government policy. These related concerns caused businesses to hesitate when entering long-term commitments, such as long-term contracts and joint ventures, with the host country. The quality of the infrastructure was deemed highly consequential for U.S. businesses operating in Nigeria.; The study has implications for export research and the importance attached to both internal and external factors as determinants of exporting. Several studies have looked at the separate relationship of social, legal, economic, political, technological, regulatory and institutional factors. The findings of this study are consistent with other research in the field.