TOWARDS A SINGLE INDUSTRY MODEL FOR GOVERNMENT EXPORT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This empirical study focuses on export assistance needs in the environmental technology (EnviroTech) industry. The objectives of this study are (1) to explore the extent to which the export assistance needs in the environmental technology industry are consistent or inconsistent with findings from previous studies regarding assistance needs among broad categories of exporters and (2) to provide public sector assistance providers serving the environmental technology industry a research based agenda for effectively assisting those firms. The evidence indicates that the nature and relative priority of specific export assistance needs may vary significantly across industries, Also, the study concludes that service providers to the environmental technology industry have an important value added role to play in relation to fostering effective host country alliances. Exporting by American firms continues to be an economic priority supported by Federal, State and local governments. This is especially true in the environmental technology industry-- the focus of this study-- as assistance programs to facilitate exporting by EnviroTech firms are found at all levels of government