Earticle

본 연구는 부산지역 ICT 스타트업들이 열악한 내부 자원과 부족한 해외 진출 경험의 한계를 극복하고 효과적으로 해외판로를 확보하는 데 활용할 수 있는 해외판로 개척 전략 수립 방안 을 제시하고자 하였다. 이에 본 연구는 부산지역 ICT 스타트업의 해외판로 개척 전략 수립 방 안을 SWOT-AHP를 통한 해외판로 개척 전략 도출(1단계), 수출지원제도 활용(2단계), 디지털 마케팅 역량 강화(3단계), 고객 피드백을 통한 전략 수정 및 보완(4단계)의 4가지 단계로 제안 하였다. 그리고 단계별로 부산지역 ICT 스타트업인 ㈜BICT의 현재 상황에 적합한 세부 전략을 제시하였다. 본 연구에서 제안하고 있는 부산지역 ICT 스타트업의 해외판로 개척 전략 수립 방안은 ICT 스타트업이 해외판로 개척 초기에 간편하게 적용할 수 있는 전략 수립 프로세스의 기반을 제공하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 부산지역 ICT 스타트업이 해외 진출 초기에 겪을 수 있는 시행착오를 줄이고 현지 시장에 빠르게 안착하는 데 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

Purpose : This study proposed a plan for establishing a strategy to overcome the limitations of poor internal resources and insufficient overseas expansion experience for ICT startups in Busan and to effectively develop overseas markets. Research design, data, methodology : This study conducted a literature review using BICT’s internal and external data to propose a solution to establish a strategy for developing overseas markets for BICT, an ICT startup in Busan. Results : In this study, four phases were proposed to establish strategies for developing overseas markets of ICT startups in Busan: Deriving strategies for developing overseas markets using SWOT-AHP(Phase 1), Utilizing export support programs(Phase 2), Strengthening digital marketing capabilities(Phase 3), and Modification and Supplement of Strategies with Customer Feedback(Phase 4). Conclusions : BICT’s strategy establishment plan to develop overseas markets proposed in this study can be easily applied to establish an initial strategy to develop overseas markets for ICT startups in Busan, which have limitations of poor internal resources. The results of this study are expected to help ICT startups in Busan develop overseas markets and contribute to the spread of related research.

중소기업은 한국 경제발전에서 중요한 역할을 담당하지만, 대기업에 비해 국제시장 진출에서 구조적 불리함을 겪어왔다. 이러한 제약을 해 소하기 위해 중소벤처기업진흥공단(KOSME)은 금융지원, 해외마케팅, 전자상거래 지원, 수출 인큐베이터, 기술이전 서비스 등 포괄적인 수출 지원사업을 운영하고 있다. 그러나 기존 연구들은 주로 수출액 증가나 사업 만족도를 성과지표로 활용해 왔으며, 개별 기업 수준의 재무성과를 분석한 연구는 드물다. 본 연구는 2019년 KOSME 수출지원사업에 참여한 3,770개 중소기업의 기업 수준 데이터를 활용하여, 매출성장률이 사업 참여에 의해 유의 하게 개선되는지를 분석하였다. 독립변수로는 기업연령, 자산규모, 사업 참여 여부를 설정하고, OLS 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 분석 결과, 기업연 령이 낮고 프로그램에 참여한 기업일수록 매출성장률이 유의하게 높았으나, 자산규모는 통계적으로 유의한 영향을 미치지 않았다. 본 연구는 수출지원정책의 효과를 단순한 수출액 지표를 넘어 재무성과로 확장하여 평가함으로써 기존 문헌의 한계를 보완하고, 정부 주도 의 수출지원이 중소기업 성장경로에 미치는 영향을 보다 세밀하게 규명하였다. 또한 기업 특성에 기반한 맞춤형 지원과 장기적 재무성과 추적 을 포함한 사후평가 체계의 필요성을 제시함으로써 정책설계와 운영에 실질적인 시사점을 제공한다.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in Korea’s economic development but have historically faced structural disadvantages in international markets compared to large conglomerates. To address these barriers, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) has implemented comprehensive export support programs, including financial assistance, overseas marketing, e-commerce facilitation, export incubators, and technology transfer program. While prior studies have primarily evaluated such programs using export volume or beneficiary satisfaction, few have examined their effects on firm-level financial performance. This study investigates whether participation in KOSME’s 2019 export support programs leads to measurable improvements in SMEs’ revenue growth, a direct indicator of financial viability and sustainability. Using firm-level data from 3,770 participating SMEs, we employ an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model with firm age, asset size, and program participation as independent variables. The results indicate that younger firms and those receiving program support achieve significantly higher sales growth, while asset size does not have a statistically significant impact. By extending policy evaluation beyond export volume to include financial performance, this study addresses a key gap in the literature and provides more granular insights into how government-led export promotion affects SME growth trajectories. The findings underscore the need for tailored, firm-specific support strategies and post-program evaluation frameworks that incorporate longitudinal financial metrics. These implications are relevant for policymakers seeking to enhance both the effectiveness and equity of export support policies.

본 연구는 중소기업의 수출지원제도 중 수출유망중소기업 선정을 위한 평가지표를 개발하는 것을 목적으로 진행하였다. 기존의 평가지표는 수출유망중소기업을 선정하는데 있어 중소기업의 특징을 충분히 고려하지 못한 지표 사용에 따라 유망한 수출중소기업을 선발하는 평가지표로 한계가 있다. 이에 본 연구에서 정교한 평가지표 개발을 위해 2차에 거쳐 전문가 의견조사를 통해 균형성과 관점의(BSC) 평가항목을 도출하 고, AHP 분석을 통해 평가항목별 가중치를 산출하였다. 연구 결과 최상위 계층에서는 시장관점, 기술개발 관점, 사업화 관점, 조직역량 관점의 순으로 중요도가 나타났으며, 차상위 계층에서의 사업화 관점에서는 사 업화역량, 시장관점에서는 제품경쟁력, 기술개발 관점에서는 제품의 차별성, 조직역량관점에서는 대표자의 역량이 중요하게 인식되었다. 최하위 계층 52개 전체 항목에 대한 중요도 평가 결과 경쟁제품 대비 우수성, 가격 및 품질경쟁력, 수출규모 및 시장수요, 서비스차별화 등의 순으로 나타났다. 본 연구를 통해 기존의 수 출유망중소기업 선정을 위한 평가지표를 세분화하고, 균형성과 관점에서 항목을 개발하고 가중치를 제시하 여, 수출유망중소기업 평가를 위한 실무적 측면에서 업무에 유용하게 적용될 것으로 기대된다.

This study aims to develop an evaluation index for selecting promising small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for export support programs for SMEs. The existing evaluation index had limitations as it did not sufficiently consider the characteristics of SMEs, which is essential when selecting promising SMEs for export. To develop a sophisticated evaluation index, this study conducted an empirical study to derive the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) evaluation items for criteria and AHP analysis for deriving the weight of each evaluation index through a pairwise comparison survey. The results show that the top-level hierarchy consists of market perspective, technology development perspective, business development perspective, and organizational capability perspective in order of importance. For the second-level hierarchy, business development capability was considered important for business development perspective, product competitiveness for market perspective, product differentiation for technology development perspective, and representative's capability for organizational capability perspective. Among the 52 items in the lowest hierarchy, the importance evaluation result was in the order of competitiveness compared to competing products, price and quality competitiveness, export volume and market demand, service differentiation, growth potential of the market, global service capability, export ratio, the exporter's experience in exporting, understanding of the export market, and representative's willingness to pursue business. This study developed evaluation items and presented the weight of each item, which can maximize the export performance and refine the evaluation index for selecting promising SMEs for export, leading to practical contributions to the field of SME export support.

우리나라 중소기업은 일자리 창출과 수출 등 우리 경제 발전에 지대한 공헌을 해 오고 있다. 본 연구는우리나라 중소기업을 대상으로 정부와 지자체 및 무역 유관기관에서 시행하는 수출지원제도의 활용도와수출성과 간의 관계를 분석하여 수출지원제도의 개선 방향을 제시하는 데 목적이 있다. 구조방정식 모형을 활용하여 분석한 결과, 해외시장 정보부족, 해외마케팅 역량부족, 무역실무 역량부족, 외부환경 요인변화는 수출지원제도의 활용도에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 수출지원제도의 활용도는 정량적 수출성과에 유의한 영향을 미치지만 정성적 성과에는 유의성이 없는 것으로 확인되었다. 향후 수출지원제도는 수혜자 중심, 포괄적 지원, 위험관리 지원, 컨트롤 타워의 신설 등을 고려하여 체계적이고 지속적인 지원을 추진해 나갈 필요가 있다.

Small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) in Korea have contributed greatly to the development of the Korean economy through job creation and exports. This study aims to suggest directions and policies for the export support programs by analyzing the relationship between the export performance and the utilization of the export support programs implemented by the central and local governments, and trade-related institutions for Korean small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs). According to the result of analysis using the structural equation model, it was found that the lack of overseas market information, lack of overseas marketing capacity, lack of trade practice capacity, and changes in external environmental factors significantly have effects on the utilization of the export support system. In addition, it was confirmed that the utilization of the export support system had a significant effect on the quantitative export performance, but had no significance on the qualitative performance. In the future export support system, it is necessary to promote systematic and continuous support in consideration of beneficiary-oriented, comprehensive support, risk management support, and establishment of a control tower.

This paper analyzes what factors affect Korea's agricultural export. With a dataset of agricultural export for the period of 2003~2009 and several explanatory variables, we specify an export equation derived from the gravity model, and then estimate it using the random-effect panel Tobit. The main findings are as follows: first, Korean agricultural exports have increased faster and greater in bigger markets with respect to GDP. Second, the distance from Korea or transportation cost is a critical factor determining the agricultural export. Third, the export support programs are proved to play a crucial role in boosting the export of fresh agricultural products. Fourth, the effect of relative exchange rates on the agricultural export is shown to be ambiguous or inconsistent from product to product. Finally, the number of Korean expatriates in foreign markets has a positive effect on the export performance.

본 연구는 중소기업 수출지원사업의 효율성을 분석하기 위한 것으로, 자료포락분석을 이용하여 사업 간 상대적 효율성과 연도별 변화를 비교·진단하였다. 분석 대상은 전라남도에서 2023년과 2024년에 운영된 7개 수출지원사업이다. 투입 변수는 지원금액과 참여기업 수로, 산출 변수는 운영만족도와 성과도로 설정하였으며, CCR·BCC 및 SBM 모형을 적용하여 효율성과 슬랙을 함께 확인하였다. 분석 결과, 사업 간 효율성은 이질적으로 나타났고 동일한 투입 수준에서도 산출과 슬랙의 양상이 사업별로 상이하였다. 운영만족도 기준에서는 순수기술효율성은 대체로 높았으나 규모효율성과 투입 슬랙에서 차이가 확인되었으며, 성과도 기준에서는 사업별 효율성의 연도별 변화 방향이 서로 달랐다. 이러한 결과는 만족도·성과도 지표를 병행한 진단을 통해 정책을 점검하고, 효율성 관리가 필요함을 시사한다.

Purpose - This study analyzes the efficiency of SMEs export support programs by applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to compare their relative efficiency levels and year?to?year changes in performance. Design/Methodology - The empirical analysis covers seven export promotion programs implemented in Jeollanam?do in 2023 and 2024, including market exploration missions, overseas exhibitions, export consultation meetings, online platform support, export specialist nurturing, export infrastructure building, and export capability enhancement. Two inputs (program budget and number of participating firms) and two outputs (operational satisfaction and perceived export performance) are specified, and CCR, BCC, and slack?based measure (SBM) models are employed to estimate efficiency scores and diagnose input and output slacks. Findings - The results show heterogeneous efficiency across programs, with different output levels and slack patterns even under similar input conditions. Under the satisfaction?based specification, pure technical efficiency is generally high, while scale efficiency and input slacks vary markedly by program; under the performance?based specification, the direction and magnitude of efficiency changes between 2023 and 2024 differ across programs. Some programs, including export specialist nurturing and export infrastructure building, consistently lie on the efficient frontier, whereas others exhibit persistent or newly emerging inefficiencies. Originality/value - These findings highlight the need to move beyond simple activity or participation indicators and to manage SMEs export support programs based on relative efficiency with respect to both satisfaction and performance outcomes. Regular DEA?based monitoring can support evidence?based reallocation within the provincial policy portfolio by distinguishing between scale?related and operation?related sources of inefficiency and by tailoring improvement strategies to each program’s characteristics.

Recently, the Korean SMEs had faced on the strong challenges according to change of trade environment. FTA, exchange rate, economic crisis, etc to make difficult to have international competitiveness of SMEs. Such changes of trade environment is the most important things for the local SMEs. To solve these problems, many countries support to SMEs using various kinds of export support programs and Korea is not exception. However, these programs are not known widely, many SMEs cannot enjoy the benefits of these programs. And also some of those programs do not consider the characteristics of SMEs, that is the reason why they do not use sufficiently. Notwithstanding in order to enhance the international competitive, using this programs are very important thing for the local SMEs. The purpose of this study is to create international competitiveness of SMEs by using the export support programs promoted by government. For this, a study is to find the problems and suggest solutions from the review of the latest policies by central and local government.

본 연구의 목적으로 전라북도 중소기업 수출지원사업의 분석을 통해 지역수출업체가 겪고 있는 수출지원제도 활용상의 애로사항 및 만족도를 살펴보았다. 연구방법 으로 설문에 참여한 101개의 수혜업체가 응답한 내용을 분석한 결과, 지원사업의 활용성(usefulness), 효과성(effectiveness), 전문성(expertise)에 대한 전반적인 만족도가 높게 나타났다. 동시에, 수출정보제공, 수출기반조성, 바이어발굴, 수출상담회, 수출바우처, 컨설팅 및 교육, FTA지원, 무역계약 및 이행, 기타세부사업으로 구별하여 지원되는 세부영역별 사업내용과 수출활동 과정을 수출준비, 바이어 및 수출 거래상대 발굴, 무역계약, 계약이행, 계약종료 및 클레임으로 구별하여 단계별로 지원되는 사업에 대한 수혜업체의 만족도 결과는 복합적인 수준을 보였다. 마지막으로, 수출지원 사업 수혜업체의 애로사항은 수출활동 단계별 과정에서 다양하게 존재하고, 특히 해외시장 진출 사전준비 과정단계에서 국가별 시장정보의 결여와 전문성 있는 시장경쟁력분석 자료의 부족은 수혜업체가 가장 큰 어려움을 느끼는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 수출지원제도 활용상의 애로사항 개선을 위해 수출업체의 지역특화 수출제품을 해외시장에 홍보하는데 필요한 지원 프로그램의 확대와 수출지원 사업 참여 후 수혜업체의 정량적 수출성과 향상에 효과적인 세부영역별 수출지원 사업이 필요한 것을 시사하고 있다.

The aim of this study is to analyze the difficulties experienced by regional exporters in utilizing the export support system. This study investigates the satisfaction level of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that participated in the export support project in Jeollabuk-do. The results of analyzing the responses from 101 beneficiary companies reveal high overall satisfaction with the usefulness, effectiveness, and expertise of the support project. Participating companies also indicate a mixed satisfaction level with the support programs, which varies depending on the specific business content, activities categorized into detailed areas, and across export process stages. Additionally, the difficulties encountered by beneficiaries of export support projects differed at each stage of the export activities. Specifically, the lack of market information about the target country and specialized data on market competitiveness pose significant challenges for beneficiary companies entering overseas markets. In conclusion, expanding support programs focused on promoting the overseas reach of regionally specialized SME products can be highly effective in addressing challenges with utilizing the export support system. Providing SME exporters with customized support programs contributes to measurable improvements in their quantitative export performance, such as increased export volume, after participation in the project.

Purpose This study aims to identify factors that affect the utilization of companies and export performance of e-commerce export support programs provided by the korean government, and to analyze the operational performance of e-commerce export support programs. Design/methodology/Approach This study was conducted to design the research model and find out the main factors that have a big influence on the performance of exporters by reviewing previous studies and literature. Furthermore, we carried out an empirical research targeting e-commerce exporters. Findings Cross border e-commerce trade has been increasing significantly due to the recent expansion of mobile usage and rapid growth of global shopping malls. It is necessary for korean government to establish e-commerce export support programs as smaller enterprises are able to enter overseas market much easier through e-commerce. Among several factors, we could confirm that enterprise size, support programs’ procedural and cost features and the level of awareness about support programs affect the utilization of the export support programs and also confirmed that use of the export support programs gives positive effects on performance of e-commerce export. Research Implications In order for the government's export support programs to get practical effects, it is necessary to continuously improve the export support programs considering the small scale of e-commerce exporters. As performance of e-commerce export support program greatly depends on the awareness of e-commerce export support programs, the Korean government should give more effort to promote e-commerce export support programs and educate e-commerce exporters. Also, it is necessary to provide a customized export support program which differentiates companies by export amount and export stage. In addition, expansion of export items, diversification of exporting countries and provision of customs clearance information are needed to improve government’s e-commerce export support programs. This study is worthy of the first empirical study on performance of korean e-commerce export support programs.

Purpose ? This study examines how the utilization of online export marketing support programs affects the export performance of Korean SMEs. It further explores how firm characteristics, program operational quality, market environment, and export experience shape this relationship. Design/Methodology/Approach ? Based on survey data collected from 148 SMEs, the study employs regression analysis and Hayes’ Process macro to test the direct, indirect, and moderating effects proposed in the research model. The analysis evaluates how firm characteristics, program operational quality, and market environmental perceptions influence program utilization, and how this utilization mediates their effects on export performance. The moderating role of export experience is also examined to identify heterogeneous policy effects across capability levels. Findings ? Firm characteristics and program operational characteristics significantly increase program utilization, while market environment does not. Program utilization positively influences export performance and mediates the effects of firm and operational characteristics. Export experience moderates several relationships, strengthening the influence of market uncertainty but not affecting the role of operational characteristics. Research Implications ? By empirically validating the pathway from firm capabilities and program operations through utilization to export performance, this study clarifies the mechanism through which online export support programs generate outcomes. The findings highlight the need to prioritize utilization intensity and operational quality over simple participation expansion, offering meaningful guidance for policy design and practical implementation.

The export financial support system refers to the policy about the financing required at each stage of domestic transactions and overseas transactions directly related to international import-export transactions. Since the introduction of the WTO system, the government has banned direct export support, and thus, countries have expanded their export finance and insurance systems, which appear to indirectly support exports while bypassing international regulations. Since the global financial crisis in 2008, Korean SMEs have created more jobs than large corporations, accounting for 99.9% of the total. However, the export portion of Korean SMEs is less than 30%. Since the increase of small and medium-sized exporters is directly related to the economic growth of Korea, it is essential that the policy of supporting the growth stage of the export company continuously and actively at the government level. This study suggests problems and suggests ways to improve export financing programs for SMEs in Korea through previous studies and theoretical review.