Successful exporters undertake significant efforts in terms of investment in
innovation, personnel training, and product/process innovation, corroborating findings
by Moguillansky et al. (2006) and agreeing with Burrutia et al. (1995) and Manolova
et al. (2002) in this respect. All these efforts are geared towards improving their
competitive capabilities vis-a`-vis other firms in the final market of the exported goods.
In spite of these efforts towards innovation, neither universities nor consultants are
considered by exporter SMF as sources or supporters of innovations, indicating
a failure of the Chilean innovation system in this regard. The fact that consultants are
not employed by exporting firms in the sample coincides with the findings of Lussier
and Halabı´ (2008). However, successful exporters do engage in local alliances with
other firms in support of their innovation activities, corroborating findings by Gumede
and Rasmussen (2002) in terms of the importance assigned to strategic associations
for exporting.