Analysing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Export Performance Drivers through Confirmatory Factor Analysis and PLS-SEM: Evidence from Albanian Exporting Firms

Abstract

Export performance represents a critical dimension of competitiveness and long-term growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in emerging and transition economies where access to international markets remains a key driver of business development. Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV), this study examines the influence of firm-specific capabilities on export performance within the context of Albania, a transition economy characterized by institutional constraints and resource limitations. The empirical analysis is based on survey data collected from 200 exporting SMEs operating in the Fier and Vlora districts, two of the country’s most export-oriented regions. To ensure methodological robustness, a two-stage analytical framework was employed, combining Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that innovation capabilities and marketing capabilities exert a positive and statistically significant influence on export performance, whereas managerial resources do not demonstrate a significant direct effect. The model exhibits substantial explanatory power, underscoring the strategic importance of capability development for enhancing international competitiveness. The study contributes to the export performance literature by providing evidence from an unexplored transition economy and by extending the applicability of RBV in resource-constrained environments. The findings further suggest that the effective deployment of organizational capabilities, rather than the mere possession of resources, constitutes a fundamental determinant of export success. Practical implications are offered for SME managers and policymakers seeking to strengthen export competitiveness and support sustainable internationalization.Copyright© 2026 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Article’s History: Received 15th of July, 2026; Revised 24th of August, 2026; Accepted 10th of September, 2026; Available online: 30th of September, 2026. Published as article in the Volume XXI, Fall, Issue 4(94), 2026.