Abstract

This chapter focuses on the instrumental role of national export promotion programs in helping smaller firms to enhance their international entrepreneurial initiatives. Drawing a parallel between innovative behavior, entrepreneurship, and the exporting process, we identify the critical roles of risk-taking, innovativeness, and a proactive posture in successfully instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in exploiting export markets. We subsequently illustrate how government export assistance, categorized in terms of financial, informational, education/training, legal, market targeting, marketing, and miscellaneous programs, can help firms overcome international entrepreneurship hurdles and achieve superior export performance. Finally, we draw conclusions regarding each component of international entrepreneurship and provide implications for business managers and public policymakers.