International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade
Abstract
Tuna, after shrimps, forms the most valuable seafood product in both export and domestic market in Sri Lanka. The
first section of this paper discusses the present status of tuna industry in Sri Lanka and the behavior of export
markets. Secondly, this paper analyzes the impact of technological innovation, effort in international business,
manager’s perception on obstacles to export and utilization of public instruments on export performance of
permanent and sporadic tuna exporters. Results of the empirical study suggested that 96% of export performance of
tuna exporters was explained by tested independent variables. Permanent exporters were engage in technological
innovation in greater intensity than sporadic exporters. Especially, permanent exporters put more effort in
international business than the innovation. Considering the manager’s perception, external to the country barriers
were made big burden on export performance while sporadic exporters have to suffer a lot. The behavior of public
instruments was neutral on the improvement of export performance. Trade promotion instruments were the widely
used tool among permanent exporters and sporadic exporters were less familiar with these tools
