Export barriers in Latin America according to Czech companies

Abstract

This article presents the results of research on export barriers encountered by Czech companies in Latin America. This research focuses on the praxis and shows where do some Czech companies see problems in exporting to this specific region but it also puts these findings in context by including a testimony of other actors participating in export as well as author´s own observation from private sector export consultancy, economic sections of embassies and the foreign office of export promoting agency CzechTrade. This research shows that cultural differences and lack of qualified staff is as significant of a barrier as protectionism and bureaucracy in the target country. Surprisingly barriers such as logistic complications, lack of capital etc. did not show to be crucial for interviewed exporters. Furthermore the results of this paper show that the perception of the importance of certain barriers as well as the ability of the firm to overcome them profitably is highly connected to the mental model of the export manager responsible. The main aim of this research was to contribute to the discussion about territorial export diversification and to find out the reasons behind the relative passivity of Czech exporters in the region of Latin America.