The Effects of Cultural Distance, Free Trade Agreements, and Protectionism on Perceived Export Barriers

This article addresses the questions as to whether cultural distance, a free trade agreement with a trade bloc as well as protectionism have an impact on perceived external export barriers. The evaluation of a mail survey of chief executive officers from 459 Norwegian com¬panies shows that protectionism has a strong significant effect on the level of perceived external export barriers. The cultural distance to the export markets has only a small effect, while the free trade agreement with the European Union has no effect.