International operations and export performance: an empirical study

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of operations management in the development of international operations – international operations being considered as distribution centers, services and manufacturing plants abroad.

The proposed model evaluates the relationship between international operations, cross‐functional orientation (CFO) and company's exports performance. A survey was carried out with 99 companies from two industries (machinery and food) located in a newly industrialized country. The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling.

The results suggest the existence of a relation between international operations to company's performance and also that international operations are positively related to CFO.

The sampling frame is limited to only two industries: machinery and food and to companies located in southern Brazil.

The paper is of value in showing how the process of internationalization should be an integrated action which leads to better performance. This is especially important for companies starting their internationalization process and should be tested in other industries and countries.