Exploring the dynamics of product quality and failures in export trade: A systematic literature review

Abstract

This study conducted a systematic literature review on product quality and failures in export trade, aiming to uncover causes, dimensions and practical steps for improvement. It examined 181 scholarly articles, employing in-depth content analysis and visual aids for clarity. The first finding of the study revealed that nine factors emerged as the major dimensions of goods quality in the export trade context, including: conformance, durability, reliability, features, aesthetics, usability, serviceability, environmental impact and innovation. The second finding revealed that thirteen factors emerged as the major dimensions of service quality in the export trade context, including: cultural sensitivity, service compliance, reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, competence, courtesy, credibility, transparency, security, consistent availability, service customization and service innovation. The third finding of the study revealed that twelve factors emerged as the key dimensions of goods failure in the export trade context, including: manufacturing defect, maintenance complexity, component failure, assembly failure, durability issues, performance flaw, user interface failure, inferior quality, packaging/design failure, product adaptation failure, logistics failure and technical incompatibility. Other findings were also made, and the study recommended that export companies should conduct thorough market research, prioritize cultural sensitivity, implement quality management systems, embrace manufacturing automation, and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure consistent high-quality products and successful foreign market entry.