Korea, and many European Union nations in 2006
. Approximately 50% of all exports from Latin America originate in
Mexico and, in terms of overall trade, Mexico ranked as the world’s 14
th
As a result of decades of protectionism, Mexico, as well as other emerging economies with similar economic histories,
faced the reality of underdevelopment of industries, inefficiencies, outdated technologies, shortages of skilled workers, and
lack of entrepreneurial talent. Although exports were never prohibited as were imports in Mexico, the culture of export and
international trade was not strongly inculcated for numerous reasons (Pazos, 1997; Bergoing et al. 2002). Among the most
important include the absence of an import/export reciprocity philosophy in its former import-substitution trade policy and
overall lack of competitiveness in almost all industries except in oil exports and other commodities.
Mexico, among the most debt-ridden nations of the world in the 1980s, under pressure from a paralyzed economy with
rampant inflation, took the initial step in radically realigning Mexico’s international macroeconomic policy. It turned from
extreme protectionism to open market economics and embraced export-based growth. Since then, it has experienced an
impressive development in the diversification of its export base particularly in reference to its value-added products. It
stands now as a major emerging economy in the world and has improved dramatically its competitiveness since its
integration into the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since 1994. However, a vulnerable point lies in the fact
that currently the Mexican economy is highly dependent on the U.S. which consumes approximately 85% of its exports
(Mexico’s Secretaria de Economia, 2008). It also lags behind in terms of logistics development and infrastructure, as
revealed by a recent World Bank Study
, where Mexico appears behind countries such as South Korea, China , India, Chile,
Argentina or Panama, in their International LPI (Logistics performance.Index) ranking.
Empirical analysis
Sample and data collection
The purpose of this project was to collect specific attitudinal, motivational, and demographic information to be used in
addressing questions regarding exporting and potential exporting firms’ perceptions of the barriers they encounter during
the internationalization process. The target population consisted of exporting firms operating in the South-Central Region in
Mexico, including the six states of: Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Chiapas, and Puebla.
The respondents were managers or firm owners with key decision-making positions with respect to export operations. The
industries represented include: food, beverages, and tobacco; auto parts; leather products or footwear; electrical goods and
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Convention