چكيده به لاتين
Abstract:
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face limitations in the process of internationalization. The purpose of this research was to present the effect of business diplomacy on international trade restrictions based on the business diplomacy approaches and obstacles.
Regarding the research orientation, this is an applied research. With respect to the research approach, this is an exploratory mixed methods research using appropriate qualitative methods such as exploratory interviews for factor extraction and measurement scales; and quantitative methods to confirm the measurement model and the conceptual model test, using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model by LISREL. Qualitative data was collected from 8 international trade experts, and the quantitative data was gathered from 306 managers of commercial enterprises, experts and researchers in the field of international trade, using Cochran’s formula. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Test-retest reliability of the interview was determined 88% and the reliability between two coders 83%. The main research question investigated the positive effect of commercial diplomacy on international trade obstacles; and the sub-questions examined the components of commercial diplomacy and international trade restrictions, and the positive effect of commercial diplomacy on the components of international trade restrictions.
Findings of the previous studies and the conducted interviews indicated that the four factors: human and cultural barriers, economic barriers, environmental challenges, structural and administrative barriers plus 23 indices are determined for international trade obstacles. On the other hand, the nine components: participation in trade institutions, bilateral and multilateral trade cooperation, communication with stakeholders, improved interaction with other cultures, participating in multilateral trade negotiations, data collection and analysis, networking, extension approaches, brand protection and lobbying are identified for the commercial diplomacy. The model test indicated the positive effect of the diplomacy on international trade obstacles and its components. Strategies for further development of commercial diplomacy are presented at the end of this paper.
Keywords: Business diplomacy, Internationalization, Internationalization constraints, Export, International business barriers
