"Export Readiness of Smaller U.S. Exporters in Response to European Integration"

The integration of the European Community countries into one single market has created much anticipation concerning how to conduct business in the post-1992 European market. This paper seeks to illustrate how exporters at various readiness levels are contemplating the profound implications of the new business environment in Europe. The survey identifies three categories of exporters that are at different readiness levels--Ready, Preparing and Maintaining Exporters. Responses of smaller Indiana exporters in manufacturing industries to future market attractiveness in Europe, based on factors such as market characteristics, entry barriers, competitiveness, and U.S. Federal government assistance are explored. Respondents suggest that they are more concerned with natural, market-driven rather than government-imposed trade barriers in the post-1992 EC market