EXPORT PROPENSITY AND PERFORMANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE INFLEUNCE OF OWNER GENDER Professor Barbara Orser, Deloitte Chair School of Management, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Street Ottawa, Canada, K1N 6N5, Tel: (613) 562-5800 Ext. 4570 E-mail: orser@management.uottawa.ca Professor Martine Spence, Associate Professor School of Management, University of Ottawa E-mail: spence@management.uottawa.ca Professor Allan Riding, Deloitte Chair School of Management, University of Ottawa E-mail: riding@management.uottawa.ca Christine A. Carrington Small Business Policy Branch, Industry Canada 235 Queen Street, Ottawa, Canada ON K1A 0H5 E-mail: Carrington.Christine@ic.gc.ca ABSTRACT This paper draws on theories of how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) internationalize and on feminist theories to develop a yet better understanding of export propensity and the impact of gender of ownership. Feminist theory is used to identify potential gender differences in managerial acumen and human capital. Theories of the process of SME internationalization are employed to rationalize the impact of these differences on organizational performance. These theoretical underpinnings yield study propositions that provide a framework for investigating performance differences and export propensity of male and female-owned firms. Empirical findings are based on a large-scale sample of Canadian SME owners. Findings are discussed with reference to public policies and program initiatives.