The mediation role of organizational ability in the effect of innovation capability on export performance: The case of Mersin-Tarsus Organized Industrial Zone

With globalization, the world has entered a rapid change. In this process, the importance of national borders has decreased, trade has been liberalized and global trade volume has increased. Although lately the protectionist statements have increased, international trade has taken an irreversible path. Because, consumers are no longer a mass that can be sold whatever is produced, as they used to be. Moreover, with changing consumption behaviors, consumers are now forcing businesses to change. The speed of creating new needs for consumers and meeting the existing ones has become the key to the success of businesses. So that, an unsatisfied consumer in the national market satisfies his/her need from global markets and companies face with global competition in their domestic market. E-commerce, communication technologies and evolving logistics have made it easier for international companies to enter the market. In this respect, the intensity of the competition companies exposed to has also increased. One of the most important and hard to imitate resources of businesses to cope with competition is their organizational ability. When the business uses its resources and capabilities correctly, it will be more innovative in order to keep up with change and consequently, will enhance its export performance by increasing its competitiveness in the international market. In this study the mediation role of organizational ability in the impact of innovation capabilities of enterprises on their export performance was investigated in Mersin. First innovation, export and organizational ability concepts was explained and the relationship between these variables was discussed. The research was designed quantitative and analyzed with statistical and mathematical methods. White-collar employees of companies in Mersin-Tarsus Organized Industrial Zone constitute the universe of the research. The hypotheses of the research were tested in line with the data obtained from 311 participants via survey. As a result of the research, the mediation role of organizational ability in the impact of innovation capability; along with the organizational learning ability, R&D capability and strategic ability sub-dimensions on export performance has been identified.