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Program evaluation as a methodology is discussed, and its application to government export promotion programs is examined. Because the variety of approaches to export program evaluation, resulting data are often of limited usefulness. A programmatic approach to program evaluation is proposed. (TJH)

This paper examines the behaviour of firms at international trade fairs (ITF). It advances the idea that prior ITF exhibiting experience shapes practice and performance. ITF usage is used as a proxy for experience and two groups identified — “heavy users” and “light users.” Propositions are developed and tested on data collected from 303 Canadian companies. Key findings are that (1) fair selection practices appear to differ only marginally between heavy and light ITF users, whereas (2) exhibit planning and management practices, and (3) performance levels, differ sharply between heavy and light ITF users. Thus, experience impacts on ITF planning and management practices, and on performance levels, but less so on ITF selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a profile of the Internet presence of French and Italian luxury brands. France and Italy are the most important luxury brand source countries. This study examines how luxury brands use the Internet, and thus is largely exploratory. A survey of 86 luxury brand Web sites carried out for this study provides the data to create a profile and comparative analysis of these two primary source countries of luxury brands. The key research objective is to use common terminology and measures to understand how French and Italian brands use the Internet and whether there are differences in Web site characteristics.

This research examines the issue of online selling of luxury brands. Of key interest is first, to determine what Internet presence luxury brands have and second, whether luxury brands sell their products and services online. This is the first study to undertake a content analysis of luxury brands on the Internet, and thus is largely exploratory. A survey of 190 luxury brand websites provides the data to create a profile and comparative analysis of luxury brands. The key research objective is, using common terminology and measures, to understand how luxury brands use the Internet and to determine differences in website characteristics related to online selling. Conclusions and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents information on a study which analyzed the operational aspects of export promotion in developing countries. Research design and methodology; Characteristics of export promotion organizations (EPO); Policy participation and activities of EPO.

Management's decision to involve the firm in export markets heightens the need for information, knowledge and expertise. Awareness of these needs, which are relatively greater in small and medium-sized firms than larger firms, is a function of management's perspective. Part of such perspective is the recognition of the potential importance of externally available sources of such know-how, in the form of information and experience. The acquisition of this know-how is influenced by management's orientation and information search and use behaviour[1,2]. As the lack of information and experience is a critical problem for export management[3-6], access thereto is of considerable importance. Among the broad range of export support services offered by government and other institutions in many exporting nations, trade missions seem particularly well-suited to a firm beginning foreign market involvement. They combine several important export marketing facets such as first-hand assessment of market opportunities, establishment of direct contacts and a high profile in a target market, assistance in seeking representation or indeed prospective customers, experience exchange with other participants: in sum, a learning experience in export marketing. As these aspects are associated with a firm's early export involvement, trade missions appear to be an appropriate and potentially useful export marketing stimulator[5,7,8]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Export promotion systems in Canada and Austria are contrasted and their services evaluated from a company perspective. The Canadian system is government-based, while the Austrian one operates in the private sector. Apart from the philosophy under which these export support systems operate, they differ also in strategic orientation. A survey of stratified samples of exporters in Canada (271) and Austria (312) shows significant differences in perceived usefulness of services given similar exporter needs. Companies desire more tailored support as well as greater involvement of private sector institutions which are not currently providing export support. Overall, Austrian companies appear more inclined to use export support and generally seem more willing to acquire exporting know-how externally compared to Canadian firms. Conclusions are offered with respect to improving the respective export promotion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]