The role of knowledge in developing sustainable export: A case study of an sme based in Türkiye

In a rapidly globalizing world and competitive business environment, developing sustainable exports has become a strategic goal for companies. According to scholars, companies that adopt exporting during internationalization tend to show better performances. However, not all exporting companies are equally successful in international markets, raising the question of why some succeed while others fail. One possible reason is the level of knowledge and understanding that exporting companies have regarding their target markets. The limited research on the effects of different types of market knowledge on export development makes this subject worthy of an in-depth research. This issue is not just an academic gap but also leads to poor decision-making at the decison-maker level, causing businesses to inefficiently use their resources and fall short to meet their export goals. This study examines the role of knowledge in sustainable export development. The aim is to identify the types of knowledge that enhance export performance and evaluate their impact on the sustainability of export activities. The research investigates how knowledge contributes to sustainable export development through the study case of Silkcoat Boya. Data obtained from observations and interviews with managers reveal that the company effectively uses market prior, internationalization, network, cultural, experiential, and entrepreneurial knowledge to achieve success in international markets.