Cultural distance and psychic distance are two concepts that are widely used in the international business literature. A large number of studies use both concepts interchangeably with no clear distinction between them. The authors propose a new model to assess cultural distance and psychic distance separately. Through the use of survey data of more than 300 managers, this article shows that both concepts are conceptually different and that psychic distance is determined by cultural distance and the individual values of the managers.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and evaluate recent studies on determinants of export performance. Design/methodology/approach: Using a vote-counting technique this paper reviews 124 papers published between 2006 and 2014 to assess the determinants of export performance. Findings: The results indicate that significant progress has been made during these nine years and that: numerous new determinants are identified, data quality and statistical biases have received considerable attention, and interaction and indirect relationships are considered. However, at the same time, the research of export performance is still limited by a lack of synthetic theoretical basis, inconsistent empirical test results, and insufficiency in the research framework and statistical methodologies. Originality/value: Export performance has received increasing attention over recent decades, but the area is still characterized by fragmentation and diversity hindering theoretical and practical development. This paper integrates the findings of recent studies on export performance and provides further discussion from both theoretical and methodological aspects, and points out the directions for future research.

Purpose: – By using the dynamic capabilities (DC) theory and the theory of competitive advantage, the purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to investigate the role of marketing capabilities on the firm’s export performance. Specifically, this framework depicts the consequences of marketing capabilities and focuses on the relationships among marketing capabilities, competitive advantage, and export performance. Design/methodology/approach: – The authors conduct a meta-analysis of the literature on marketing capabilities and use multivariate analyses to test the framework. Findings: – The study revealed that competitive advantage has an important mediating role in the relationship between marketing capabilities and export performance. Specifically, the authors found that two types of competitive advantage (i.e. low-cost advantage and differentiation advantage) positively mediate the effect of marketing capabilities on export performance. Originality/value: – Although research on marketing capabilities is still in its early infancy, the study provides a base from which future work can be developed. The authors also contribute to the literature by examining the mediating role of competitive advantage in the marketing capability-export performance relationship, thereby offering new insights into how and why marketing capabilities play a crucial role in explaining the firm’s export performance.

Purpose: Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a method that is very frequently applied by marketing and business researchers to assess empirically new theoretical proposals articulated by means of complex models. It is, therefore, a logical thought that the quality of the new advances in marketing and business theory depends, in part, on how well SEM is applied. This study aims to conduct an extensive review and empirical analysis of a broad variety of classic and recent controversies and issues related with the use of SEM, in order to identify problematic questions and prescribe a compendium of solutions for its suitable application.Design/methodology/approach: The main analyses were conducted on a sample of 191 SEM‐based papers and 472 applications, i.e. all the SEM‐based studies published in four leading marketing journals during the period 1995‐2007.Findings: Despite the maturity of SEM, its application in marketing research still has notable room for improvement. This is a general conclusion based on numerous problems detected and discussed here.Practical implications: The study provides plausible solutions to the problems identified, a useful guide that is easy to follow and to apply adequately to present SEM issues in marketing and business studies.Research limitations/implications: The sample of SEM‐based papers and applications is limited to four publication outlets. A wider set or/and other journals different to those analyzed here may be preferred.Originality/value: This is a valuable and timely study of the application of SEM in marketing and business research, and is also useful as a guiding framework for good practice. Likewise, as the problems discussed here presumably occur in other areas of social science, this paper should be welcome beyond the borders of the business disciplines.