Export strategy in the context of coronavirus (COVID-19), Identifying drivers and critical success factors, Based on the study of active firms in Iranian ports and maritime industries

The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, has put everything in a new and complicated situation. Businesses, especially exporters, have also been affected. The main objective of the present study is to investigate and prioritize the factors effective on the development of export strategy in the context of coronavirus (COVID-19), and to test this Phenomenon in the export firms of Iran through mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) research. To this end, 42 export firms were selected from Iranian ports and maritime industries as the statistical sample of the study and the data were gathered using questionnaire and interview and data analyzed with fuzzy Delphi methods and partial least squares technique. The research findings show that the most important inner firm factors effective on the export performance of Iranian firms in the context of the Corona crisis are: Firm’s capabilities and resources; Managerial characteristics; Marketing capacity; Strategic capability and Company human resources. The research findings have led to the identification of vital export incentives and stimuli in critical situations and finally to the introduction of a new typology of factors tailored to critical situations that can be useful for empowering businesses in possible future crises.