EXPORT INTERMEDIARY FIRMS - A NOTE ON EXPORT DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH

Building on Leonidou and Katsikeas' (1996) recent review of the export development literature, we identify an important missing link in exis ting research: the role of export intermediaries as an organizational form connecting domestic manufacturers and foreign buyers. In response , a new research agenda drawing on the transaction cost and resource-b ased perspectives is advanced. This agenda focuses on why export inter mediaries are selected by manufacturers in their channel choice decisi ons, and why some intermediaries outperform others. The paper closes w ith discussions of research, practice, and public policy implications.