Export Barrier Perceptions in Tanzania: The Influence of Social Networks

In this article, the author empirically examines export barriers Tanzanian firms encounter in attempting to initiate and/or expand export activities and the strategies they use for overcoming these barriers. Based on a social network perspective, the research hypothesizes that firms exploiting diverse networks should normally encounter fewer export barriers. Using a survey dataset collected from 122 manufacturing firms, the findings support the notion that networking reduces export barriers. More specifically, exploiting a large number of strong ties relative to weak ties, and a large number of institutional ties relative to business ties, can substantially enhance firms’ capabilities of overcoming barriers to exporting. In light of these findings, implications for policy, research, and practices are discussed.