Pa. Ifju et Rj. Bush, EXPORT ASSISTANCE IN THE HARDWOOD LUMBER INDUSTRY - AN EXAMINATION OFAWARENESS, USE, AND PERCEIVED BENEFIT, Forest products journal, 44(6), 1994, pp. 27-32
Data from 354 small eastern hardwood lumber companies were analyzed to
determine awareness, use, and the perceived benefit of 21 services pr
ovided by export assistance and promotion programs. Awareness of the s
ervices among all respondents ranged from a high of approximately 70 p
ercent of respondents to a low of approximately 12 percent. Companies
were most aware of services that sponsor seminars on the basics of exp
orting, promote U.S. products overseas, and provide information on doi
ng business in a foreign country. Use by exporters ranged from approxi
mately 42 percent for a service that provides contacts with experience
d exporters to less than 5 percent for a service that provides a toll-
free number for export information. Reported potential use rates among
respondents who were previously unaware of the service reached approx
imately 84 percent for a service that provides general information on
foreign buyers. Responding companies indicated the highest perceived b
enefit from services that help to reduce the risks involved in export
marketing. Services that guarantee payment by foreign buyers, provide
credit information on foreign buyers, and transfer funds from foreign
buyers were considered to be very beneficial.