The impacts of innovation capabilities of businesses on export performance: Evidence from manisa

In this thesis study, it is aimed to determine the effects of exporting firms' innovation capabilities on export performance in Manisa province. Data gathered from the companies through questionnaire to reach the aim. The questionnaires were applied to 141 companies' managers operating in Manisa and participating voluntarily. Survey questions were adapted from the work of Wang and Ahmed (2004) and Zou, Taylor and Osland (1998). The expressions in the questionnaire are designed in the format of Likert (1- I do not agree at all, 2- I do not agree, 3- I do not agree a little, 4- Notr, 5- I agree a little, 6- I agree, 7- I totally agree). As a result of explanatory factor analysis, companies' innovation skills determined in 4 factors; Behavioral, Product-Process, Marketing, and Strategic Innovation Capabilities. Export performance dimensions revealed in 3 factors; Financial Innovation Capabilities, Strategic Innovation Capabilities and Export Satisfaction. The average values of all innovation and export performance dimensions (in the scale of 7 Likert type of rating) are close to 5 or bigger than 5. These results show that firms' behavioral, product-process, marketing and strategic innovation capabilities and financial export performance, strategic export performance, export satisfaction are higher. Export performance and sub-dimensions are taken as dependent variables while innovativeness abilities and sub-dimensions are examined as independent variables in the study. In the regression analyze made, it was found that innovation capabilities have positive and significant effects on export performance. The contribution of the outputs obtained from the study to the literature and application has been explained and suggestions have been presented to the researchers who will work on this issue.