The study intended to investigate whether Zimbabwe possesses realistic potential export opportunities that can lead to the sustainable reconstruction of its economy. The study was initiated on the premise that Zimbabwe is a fragile state and a post-conflict country going through reconstruction. The study also premised itself on the foundation that the current recovery efforts by Zimbabwe – although they have yielded some positive results, have still fallen short of providing sustainable economic growth without meaningful deeper reforms. Hence, this study is an attempt to provide policy makers with an alternative researched export promotion strategy with a focus on realistic potential opportunities. The study employed two techniques, namely survey of literature and empirical investigation. The survey of literature was achieved through theoretical literature on post-conflict reconstruction. Exports were identified in the various experiences of those countries that have gone through post-conflict reconstruction and still managed to use them in their recovery process. This necessitated a thorough investigation of literature to draw a theory upon which exports promotion could rely. The major theory that was surveyed in the literature is exportled growth (ELG). The theory is based on the premise that exports influence economic growth. Empirical evidence through literature was established in the studies carried out in different countries supporting the hypothesis. The theory was seen as superior to the import substitution strategy which led many developing countries to lag behind those which adopted export-led growth policies. The other aspect of empirical investigation was carried out through the application of the Decision Support Model (DSM). This is a scientific model that is used as a method of market selection. The model’s 4 filters were modified to include a 5th filter to specifically take into account the special circumstances of Zimbabwe. The 5th filter extension of the model provided a substantial contribution by this study to the model. A proxy of Zimbabwe’s neighbours – namely Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia was used to reinforce Zimbabwe’s competitiveness. This was based on the assumption that if Zimbabwe’s neighbours under similar conditions can successfully penetrate certain markets, then Zimbabwe should not find it difficult to penetrate the same markets. This empirical investigation showed that Zimbabwe does possess realistic potential export opportunities. The results identified 344 realistic export opportunities (REOs) for Zimbabwe in 17 regions, 50 countries, 13 sectors and 112 product lines. The study observed that Zimbabwe is in fact not utilising much of the REOs. In order to enable Zimbabwe to utilise the REOs, the study developed an appropriate export promotion strategy. The export promotion strategy is based on the results obtained from empirical investigation. The export promotion strategy has sub-strategies which respond to the specific needs of individual sectors and individual markets. The study established that instead of spending resources in an unfocused manner, the meagre resources can be applied to a more focused export promotion strategy. Based on the experiences of other countries that have gone through a similar post-conflict reconstruction process and have also used the theoretical conceptual framework of the export-led growth theory, the DSM results show there are realistic export opportunities (REOs) and these may contribute towards economic growth and recovery. The study further provided recommendations on how Zimbabwe could realise realistic potential export opportunities. This study has made a three-fold contribution. Firstly, a contribution has been made to the literature on post-conflict reconstruction and export promotion. Secondly, a significant contribution has been made by extending the Decision Support Model with a 5thfilter that also considers the supply side in the model. Finally, it has formulated an export promotion strategy, which can be applied by policy makers in Zimbabwe. / Thesis (PhD (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study empirically investigates the direct and indirect effects of export promotion programs (EPPs) on firm export performance. Government export promotion programs normally define the premise for successful exporting activities of the corporate sector and play a key role in stimulating international business activities of firms (Cavusgil and Michael, 1990; Marandu, 1995; Seringhaus and Rosson, 1990). While the extant literature on export performance mostly neglected EPPs as an antecedent of export performance, the literature on export promotion fails to relate it to export performance. A very few researchers in this area have focused on a direct relationship between EPPs and firm export performance, however, no study has investigated the effect of EPPs on other determinants of export performance toward establishing any indirect relation between EPPs and export performance. This study attempts to develop and test a comprehensive model of firm export performance that investigates how EPPs directly and indirectly influence firm export performance. Theoretical foundations are drawn from internationalization process and resource-based theories as frameworks for the analysis of the study. The model integrates the use of EPPs, management perception of export market environment, export knowledge, export commitment, and export strategy that influence firm export performance and develops a number of hypotheses. Export promotion programs are classified into two categories according to their similarity of purpose- "market development", and "finance and guarantee" related programs. All other variables in the model are latent and are measured by a set of observed items. The model is tested on primary data obtained from a sample survey of exporting firms drawn from three major export oriented industries in Bangladesh. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques (in AMOS 5) are used to test the validity of the overall model and the relationship between variables hypothesized in the model. A two stage process is employed whereby the construct measurements are first evaluated, followed by an evaluation of the structural relationships. Analysis of the structural relationships supports most of the hypothesized relationships. The dimensions of export promotion programs are found to positively impact overall export performance. The research findings demonstrate that the use of market development-related export promotion programs influence firm export performance directly as well as indirectly through management perception of the export market environment, export knowledge and commitment. However, finance and guarantee-related export promotion programs indirectly influence export performance through export commitment. The study provides a guideline for managers of firms suggesting how they can benefit from EPPs in improving their positive attitude towards the export market environment, building their knowledge and enhancing commitment to exporting for better success in their international operations. This study provides guidelines to policymakers in designing and targeting export promotion programs effectively. The study also contributes to the literature by examining the indirect impact of EPPs on firm export performance. Finally, the limitations of the study are considered and possible directions for further research outlined.

This thesis deals with the analysis team Chmelařství Žatec, hence its subsidiary of Bohemia Hop, as The theoretical part includes information on foreign trade, exports and aid institutions that deal with this issue. The thesis is further described the common agricultural policy and the Association of Private Farming in the Czech Republic and the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic. The practical part contains an analysis of the sector to which the exportation of hops from the Czech Republic and analysis Chmelařství Žatec team and its subsidiaries. In the following chapters the practical part are formed subgroup analysis (STEP, portfolio analysis, Porter 5-forces analysis of economic indicators, Ansoff matrix strategy, SWOT analysis). The work was also carried out a questionnaire survey and structured interviews. At the end of the thesis is the recommendation for Chmelařství team Žatec.

The work deals with the comparison of the export promotion policy of the Czech Republic and Austria. The first chapter describes the development, structure of the international trade and export position of the Czech Republic and Austria and subsequently compares the importance of export in both countries. The second and the third chapter characterize the export promotion system in the Czech Republic and Austria. The chapters focus at first on the concept of export promotion in both countries, its main objectives, projects and results and then on the main institutions dealing with the export promotion and their main services. The fourth chapter evaluates and compares the export promotion in both countries as far as its main concept, institutions and services are concerned.

The thesis focuses on twelve main Export Strategy projects of the Czech Republic during the years 2006-2010. The main objective is to analyse current degree of their realisation and suggest possible changes. The theoretical part concentrates on pro-export policy including institutional background. In the practical part the projects are analysed. Each project (chapter) is then divided into three parts - introduction of a project, its assessment by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and current assessment by the author. Each chapter also includes suggestions of corrective instruments.

Diploma paper deals with the comparison of pro-export policy in Czech Republic, Great Britain and Austria. The work describes the system of state promotion of exporting companies in monitored economies and focuses on the activities of particular institutions, which provide financial and non-financial support. In conclusion, the comparison of pro export policies in these countries is carried out in various points of view -- institutional framework, offered projects in the sphere of information, consultancy and education services and financial support.

The diploma thesis discusses the Czech club music scene in the context of the transformation of the music industry in recent years. The first section describes recent trends in the music market in the world and in the Czech Republic. The second part is devoted to the specifics of the management and promotion of Czech music scene at club level, defines classical models of contracts between artists, managers, record companies and other entities. The following chapter describes the possibilities of the multi-source financing of the club music scene. The next two chapters characterize cultural policies of Austria and Germany with a focus on creative industries and of the club music scene. The last part is devoted to a specific modelated project, an organization focused on music export and promotional activities.

This Master thesis' aim is to compare the export policy in the Czech Republic and Finland. The foreign trade of the Czech Republic and Finland is analyzed in the first chapter with respect to the territorial and commodity structure. The second chapter deals with the export policy of the Czech Republic, its development, conceptual solution and institutional background. The third part describes the export policy in Finland. Both policies are compared in the fourth chapter based on their defined goals, priorities and tools that are being used. The final part of this chapter analyses the export promotion from the Czech and Finnish SME's point of view.

With the advent of the internet and the development of Information and Communication technology, new reinvented forms of Trade Promotion Organizations have emerged. The globalization of today’s trading environment has forced economies to prioritize the development of the export competitiveness of their SMEs sector, as to be able to survive amidst the fierce global competition. The digital economy has created new means and channels of overcoming barriers of trade faced by SMEs due to their size and limited resources. To this end the International trade center has launched the Global Trade Point Network in 1993. The objective of this new electronic form of TPO is to assist firms in developing countries to explore business opportunities effectively by providing them with targeted market information and facilitating exporting procedures at a relatively low cost. With the expanding number of interconnected Trade Points, The GTPNet is rising to be the main global network for trade-related information streams. This study explored the extent of usefulness of these trade points in providing SMEs with real export opportunities as well as boosting their export competitiveness in Egypt, due to it being the one country with the highest number of operating trade points. The study used a mixed sequential methodology, combining both a semi structured interview based qualitative analysis followed by a questionnaire based large scale survey. This study was built around the theory of stages of internationalization, to reflect the fact that SMEs in the new evolving digital environment, are still in need of acquiring export market knowledge throughout the different stages of the internationalization process through secondary sources. Export market-knowledge as a firm resource boosts its competitive position and in turn to increased commitment to the export operation. On a theoretical level, a perceived usefulness construct for International trade points has been developed using exploratory factor analysis that paves the way to empirical tests of the different recommendations in the export promotion literature. The domain incorporates a new factor pertinent to the unique nature of International trade points, as being dependent on an electronic matching system supported by a global network, the proposed definition and usefulness of International trade points provides a conceptual framework in an area where little prior research has been conducted. Based on the findings, Egyptian Small and Medium Enterprises did not appreciate this new developed service due to their lack of e-readiness and resilience to engage in this process. From a practical perspective, the study has supported the findings of previous empirical studies, that pointed out that Export promotion Organizations are not targeting the real potential disadvantaged firms as committed exporters with high export intensity were the main recipients of successful trading opportunities through International Trade Points, as well as the ones that perceived these governmental sponsored organizations to be more useful. Moreover, the study revealed the shortcomings in the performance of International trade points, which are to a great extent attributable to their inefficient governmental organizational and managerial structure.

For the creation of the foreign trade relations, and in particular for the development of export is a key position of the State expressed in its export promotion policy. This diploma thesis deals with the comparison of the export promotion policy of the Czech Republic with the selected EU country - Austria, which is in many ways comparable to the Czech Republic. Subject of comparison is the export performance of the Czech Republic and Austria, the conceptual framework of both export promotion policies, their institutional arrangement and export promoting financial and non-financial services.