CIAO DATE: 05/2015
February 2015
This paper discusses the importance of services exports for the U.S. economy. In this context, the paper analyzes how export promotion agencies (EPAs) can use the Internet to grow services exports by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first part of this paper discusses how engaging in international trade benefits services SMEs and the U.S. economy. Part 2 provides an overview of the barriers faced by SME service firms in using the Internet to go global and analyzes the different ways that SMEs use the Internet, from reaching consumers globally, communicating with suppliers, to becoming part of global supply chains. Based on interviews and an online survey with export promotion agencies (EPAs) in the U.S. and select other countries, Part 3 describes how EPAs are engaging service SMEs and assisting them in using the Internet to become international traders. Part 4 draws on the experiences of EPA support for SME services exporters and recommends how to scale up some of these approaches in ways that would have a broader impact on SME services exports. The paper concludes with thoughts on future research
Resource link: Using the Internet to promote services exports by small- and medium-sized enterprises [PDF] - 3.7M