• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-332
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• 2016

This study aims to analyze the influences of KS certification system on export performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea. The analysis may contribute to enhance export competitiveness of Korean SMEs. Based on previous studies for environment-specific and business-specific determinants regarding KS certification system, this study analyzed six factors influencing on export performance of Korean SMEs. For empirical tests, this study used frequency, validity, reliability, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS 21.0. The results of analysis could be summarized as follows. Managerial mind had influence on KS certification system, whereas employee's awareness on standard was influential to the same categories. Another business-specific factor, KS certification education & training, affected factors of general standardization of KS certification system. General standardization of KS certification factor had effects on export strategic performance. This empirical study presents following implications for small and medium businesses. First, considering that SME management mind proved to be influencing all variables, the concerned SME CEOs are required to support and encourage intra-standardization of KS certification mind within the company to improve their export performance. Second, to better the export performance, SMEs not only need to support, but also to provide education of KS certification to raise awareness on standardization among the employees. Third, ISO certification as well as intra-business standardized system for FTA-related works are highly encouraged to put into use to improve the quality of products.