Development and validation of a measurement scale of export support for SMEs
Many empirical studies focus on the effectiveness of export support. However, the lack of a validated measurement instrument of export support makes it difficult to compare their results. The authors emphasize the need to develop a scale that can be reused in future studies. In this perspective, this article aims to answer the following problem : how to measure the use of export support services by the firm ? For this, we rely on the paradigm of Churchill (1979) to propose a scale that takes into account both the nature and the intensity of export support. In this framework, an empirical study was conducted among 288 French SMEs. The results confirm the multidimensionality of export support through four dimensions : training, prospecting, networking and financial support. Each is assessed by a set of items reflecting the export support services available to SMEs. The use of this measurement tool offers researchers as public authorities the possibility to better assess the specific influence of different types of export support.