Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to derive directions and implications for improving performance in operating agrifood export organizations by identifying significant performance impact factors. Research design, data, and methodology - A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model was estimated using data from a survey conducted among 120 exporters including 16 leading export organizations. In the SUR estimation, the export volume and price are used as dependent variables and securing the quantity of products ordered and exported, quality management, and marketing activities are considered as explanatory variables for the operation performance. Results - The amount of farmer education, the manpower in charge of marketing, and the interaction terms between whether or not they belong to a leading export organization and the item dummy for mushrooms have a significant impact on the export volume where the export volume is specified as a dependent variable. The export volume is greater with a greater amount of farmer education and greater manpower in charge of marketing from the perspective of quality management. When the export price is estimated as a dependent variable, the manpower in charge of marketing is shown to have a significant impact on the export price. Conclusions - The government needs to strengthen its support of the performance of agrifood export organizations. The analysis indicates that the education of and consulting with farmers, and the manpower number in charge of marketing are key factors in the operation performance of export organizations. Therefore, supporting the export organizations in expanding their human resources in charge of marketing can increase the export volumes for agrifoods. Given, however, that the export volume associated with joint payments, human resources specialized in quality management, and the amount of participation in export exhibitions are not significant factors, it is essential to improve the supporting policies for those areas. The manpower in charge of marketing from the perspective of marketing has a significant impact on both the export volume and export price. Thus, we identify this as the most important category that should be supported to enhance performance in export organizations.