Innovation has long been considered an important factor for creating and maintaining
the competitiveness of the firms. Common knowledge stands that innovation is the cause
of the increase of exports. However, contradicting empirical evidences are reported in the
literature on the relationship between innovation and export performance. In this research
we examine whether innovation performed by Jordanian chemical and pharmaceutical
industries enhances their export performance. Based on research objectives, a structured
questionnaire was developed to collect the needed data to test the developed hypotheses. Data
were collected from twenty two companies, representing a sixty-five percent response rate.
Data were analyzed and hypotheses were tested using various analytical methods. Research
findings indicate that there is a statistical significant relationship between innovation and
export performance for the sample under study; mainly for research and development,
marketing data base, management (atmosphere conductive to innovation), promotion and
product (quality). Based on the results, several recommendations are suggested