Barriers and Opportunities for Bangladeshi Entrepreneurs Entering Selected International Markets: A Comparative Study of the USA, Canada, Lithuania, and Estonia
Abstract
This paper will discuss the influence of barriers and opportunity enabling capabilities on the international market-entry preparedness and entry intention of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the USA, Canada, Lithuania and Estonia. The survey yielded a quantitative result of 830 valid responses, with an almost equal distribution of the survey across the four markets. The model incorporates regulatory and institutional obstacles, financial and resource limitations, international market knowledge ability, chance of having digital market access, international network and diaspora backing, market-entry preparedness and international market-entry will. The measurement and structural models, indirect effects, measurement invariance and multi-group differences were assessed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The six direct hypotheses were all supported. Regulatory obstacles and funding limitation diminished readiness to enter the market, whereas market knowledge, the chances of accessing digital networks and global disapora, and the assurance of the network and diaspora increased readiness. The market-entry preparedness had strong positive influences on international market-entry intention and had a significant impact in mediating the effect of all five antecedents. It was found that there was measurement invariance among the four market groups. Multi-group analysis revealed that the majority of structural relationships remained constant with three market-pair distinctions being significant. The results place market-entry preparedness as a pivotal linkage between limitations and capabilities and internationalisation intention and offer a market-responsive framework of entrepreneurship and export-support establishments. There is an indication that there should be a combination of reducing barriers and developing capabilities in internationalisation support.