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Eshetu Burusa:
Significance of the study

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The study focuses on the significance of export marketing information-gathering and decision-making activities in
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [1](#1). It examines the impact of export commitment, experience, and
involvement on export performance, emphasizing the need for active marketing and information-gathering efforts
in SMEs [1](#1). The research categorizes various export marketing behaviors and their relationships with key
dimensions of export commitment, experience, and involvement [2](#2). Strong correlations are found between
the number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external sources of export market
information [4](#4). Additionally, companies with full-time exporting staff show significantly more use of various
data collection methods and make export-related decisions more frequently [6](#6).

Eshetu Burusa:
Does the study reflects the content of the paper?

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Yes, the study reflects the content of the paper by emphasizing the importance of export marketing information-
gathering and decision-making activities in SMEs [1](#1). It categorizes export marketing behaviors and their
relationships with key dimensions of export commitment, experience, and involvement [2](#2). The study also
highlights strong correlations between the number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using
external sources of export market information, as well as the increased use of data collection methods and more
frequent export-related decisions by companies with full-time exporting staff [4](#4), [6](#6).

Eshetu Burusa:
Abstract is clear?

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Yes, the abstract is clear as it summarizes the study's focus on the significance of export marketing information-
gathering and decision-making activities in SMEs, emphasizing the impact of export commitment, experience, and
involvement on export performance [1](#1). It categorizes various export marketing behaviors and their
relationships with key dimensions of export commitment, experience, and involvement [2](#2). The study also
highlights strong correlations between the number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using
external sources of export market information, as well as the increased use of data collection methods and more
frequent export-related decisions by companies with full-time exporting staff [4](#4), [6](#6).

Eshetu Burusa:
The back ground context is adequately discussed?

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The background context is adequately discussed in the documents, covering the conceptual framework,
methodology, data collection methods, and the focus on export marketing behaviors in SMEs [1](#1). It explores
the impact of export commitment, experience, and involvement on export performance, emphasizing the need for
active marketing and information-gathering efforts [2](#2). The study also reveals strong correlations between the
number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external sources of export market
information, as well as the increased use of data collection methods and more frequent export-related decisions by
companies with full-time exporting staff [4](#4), [6](#6).

Eshetu Burusa:
The paper has clearly stated the problem of the study
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The paper clearly states the problem of the study, focusing on the significance of export marketing information-
gathering and decision-making activities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [1](#1). It examines the
impact of export commitment, experience, and involvement on export performance, categorizing various export
marketing behaviors and their relationships with key dimensions of export commitment, experience, and
involvement [2](#2). Additionally, the study highlights strong correlations between the number of employees
dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external sources of export market information, as well as the
increased use of data collection methods and more frequent export-related decisions by companies with full-time
exporting staff [4](#4), [6](#6).

Eshetu Burusa:
The author has related to existing theories and bodies of knowledge by way of literature review or having clear
theoretically conceptual frame works

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The author has related to existing theories and bodies of knowledge by conducting a literature review and
establishing a clear theoretical conceptual framework in the study on export marketing behaviors in SMEs [2](#2).
The study draws on previous literature to explore the impact of export commitment, experience, and involvement
on export performance, categorizing various export marketing behaviors and their relationships with key
dimensions of export commitment, experience, and involvement [2](#2). Additionally, the research demonstrates
strong correlations between the number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external
sources of export market information, indicating a solid theoretical foundation [4](#4).

Eshetu Burusa:
The author has consulted relevant and updated source of data

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The author has consulted relevant and updated sources of data, including studies by McAuley (1993), Hart and
Diamantopoulos (1993), Leonidou and Katsikeas (1997), and others, to examine export marketing behaviors in
SMEs [2](#2). These sources cover various aspects such as export-market decisions, incorporation of export market
information, and the impact of export commitment and experience on export performance [2](#2). The study also
explores the relationships between export marketing activities and key dimensions of export commitment,
experience, and involvement, offering valuable insights for SMEs [2](#2). Additionally, the research utilizes a
comprehensive range of sources for marketing information gathering and decision-making in exports [12](#12).

Eshetu Burusa:
Appropriateness of and adequate description of the study?

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The study appropriately focuses on the significance of export marketing information-gathering and decision-making
activities in SMEs, emphasizing the impact of export commitment, experience, and involvement on export
performance [1](#1). It categorizes various export marketing behaviors and their relationships with key dimensions
of export commitment, experience, and involvement, supported by strong correlations between the number of
employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external sources of export market information [2]
(#2), [4](#4). The study draws on relevant and updated sources of data to provide valuable insights for SMEs in their
export marketing efforts [2](#2), [12](#12).

Eshetu Burusa:
Identification the population of the study and appropriateness of sampling

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The study focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in exporting, specifically targeting a
purposive sample of 2,000 "serious" exporters with less than 250 employees in the South West of England, drawn
from databases maintained by the University of Plymouth Teaching Company Scheme and the local Business Link
organization [3](#3). The sampling approach was appropriate as it aimed to capture SMEs actively involved in
exporting rather than those with minimal export activities, ensuring relevance to the study's objectives.

Eshetu Burusa:
Data collection instrument employed?

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The data collection instrument employed in the study was a standard scale developed to present export decision-
makers with realistic response options, measuring 58 discrete activities in export marketing decision-making,
information acquisition, and use. Data on behavior, rather than attitudes, were collected, and cluster analysis was
used to reduce these activities to a manageable number [3](#3). The study also utilized a scale developed by
Diamantopoulos and Souchon (1999) to measure the use of information, whether instrumental/conceptual or
symbolic, in the context of SMEs [4](#4).

Eshetu Burusa:
Data collection procedure?

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The data collection procedure involved a purposive sample of 2,000 "serious" exporters with less than 250
employees in the South West of England, focusing on behavior rather than attitudes in export marketing decision-
making and information acquisition [1](#1). The study utilized a standard scale to measure the activities of export
decision-makers in export marketing decision-making, information acquisition, and use, with a response rate of
21% or 376 usable replies [3](#3). Data on behavior, rather than attitudes, were collected, and cluster analysis was
used to reduce the 58 discrete activities in export marketing decision-making to a manageable number [3](#3).

Eshetu Burusa:
Validity,reliability,and credibility of instrument used?

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The instrument used in the study on export marketing information-gathering and decision-making activities in
SMEs was a scale developed by Diamantopoulos and Souchon (1999), validated by Williams (2003) for SME
contexts. It measured export activities on dimensions like export commitment, experience, involvement, number of
export destinations, and exports as a percentage of turnover. Data analysis included Spearman 鈥 檚 rho
correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA to examine relationships and differences in
behavior based on various factors [4](#4).

Eshetu Burusa:
Discussion and of data and analysis?

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The documents provide detailed insights into the data and analysis related to export marketing activities in SMEs.
They discuss the instrumental/conceptual and symbolic use of information, data collection methods, correlations
between export activities and decision-making, and the impact of export commitment on information gathering.
The findings highlight the strong relationships between the number of full-time exporting staff and the frequency
of using external sources of export market information. The study utilizes established scales and methodologies to
measure export-related behaviors and emphasizes the importance of export commitment, experience, and
involvement in influencing export performance [4](#4) [6](#6) [8](#8) [11](#11) [12](#12).

Eshetu Burusa:
Ethical consideration the data?
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The documents provide insights into the significance of export marketing information-gathering and decision-
making activities in SMEs. They highlight the impact of export commitment, experience, and involvement on export
performance, emphasizing relationships between various export marketing behaviors and key dimensions of export
commitment [1](#1). The study also discusses the use of external sources of export market information and data
collection methods, particularly by companies with full-time exporting staff [6](#6). The ethical consideration of the
data is not explicitly addressed in the documents provided [1](#1).

Eshetu Burusa:
Result and discussion of the study

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The study delves into the impact of export marketing information-gathering and decision-making activities in SMEs,
emphasizing the importance of export commitment, experience, and involvement on export performance. It
categorizes various export marketing behaviors and their relationships with key dimensions, highlighting strong
correlations between the number of employees dedicated to exporting and the frequency of using external sources
of export market information [4](#4). Furthermore, companies with full-time exporting staff exhibit significantly
more use of various data collection methods and make export-related decisions more frequently [6](#6). The
research underscores the significance of active marketing efforts and information-gathering in SMEs to enhance
export revenue and strategic importance [1](#1).