Export promotion agencies’ lived turmoil, response and strategies in COVID-19 times

Abstract

This paper explores Export Promotion Agencies’ (EPAs’) lived turmoil amid the COVID-19 crisis. It investigates: the EPAs’ perspective on pandemic impact on exporting SMEs; the pandemic impact on EPAs, their operations and response strategies; and EPAs’ perception and expectations post-COVID. The research draws on in-depth interviews with three countries’ EPA managers (Chile, Ecuador, Peru); five elite informants engaged operationally and strategically. A narrative approach inquiring on human experience is adopted, enabling rich insights on complex dynamics and contextual realities ‘from the inside’. Notwithstanding heavy regional impact, no research exists on South America; especially EPAs’ role in COVID times. The methodology provides intimate first-hand knowledge on idiosyncratic circumstances shrouded in uncertainty; unprecedented challenges faced at ground zero, addressed in unconventional ways. Country-specific complexities compounded pandemic impact. EPAs were compelled to rediscover their purpose, devising novel responses to help exporting SMEs. Notwithstanding reduced budgets and layoffs, the EPAs persevered, innovating resource-light solutions to pragmatically surmount turmoil; effectively serving their mission amid uncertainty and adversity. In/formal emergent trust-based cooperation strategies proved crucial. Also accentuated was production and consumption environmental sustainability. Detailed front-line perspectives provide valuable insight and important lessons on complex challenges endured and effective EPA action. Post-COVID perspectives, best practice and policy support recommendations are forthcoming.