150 Dr. M. Ayisha Millath and Mr. S. Thowseaf, “Factors Influencing Export - A Conceptual Analysis” – (ICAM 2016) A STUDY FACTORS INFLUENCING EXPORT - A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS Dr. M. Ayisha Millath Assistant Professor and Research Supervisor, Alagappa Institute of Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630003 Mr. S. Thowseaf Ph.D. Research Scholar Alagappa Institute of management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630003 ABSTRACT Export is a commercial activity, which involves exchange of domestically produced or value added imported goods or services for valuable consideration across national borders. Export is one of the most determinant factor for economic growth, It also helps companies for sales expansion, resources acquisition, minimize competitive risk and diversification. Export in current scenario is prospective business with critical business environment; Social, Technological, Economic, Political, International, Natural, Transport and Organizational (STEP IN-TO) are few of the critical factors influencing export business, Knowledge on export business environment will lead firm to attain competitive edge in international market. This conceptual paper is designed to intimate the significant influence of STEP IN-TO factors, which plays momentous role in export and suggest solution to attain competitiveness with the same. The paper is done with the review of literature and statistical report pertaining to past years of Indian export. STEP IN-TO factors was found to be important ingredient among the many factors in export business environment especially, during entry also, STEP IN-TO factors in export was found to be more opportunity oriented rather than criticism on insight, this is because it helps in; widening the market, reduce the risk, economic growth of world at large, reduced effect of business cycle and optimum utilization of resources, provided proper knowledge, exposure and experience is in need for the export firm. Key words: Export Business Environment, STEP IN-TO Factors, Indian Export Statistics, Opportunity oriented review. Cite this Article: Dr. M. Ayisha Millath and Mr. S. Thowseaf. Factors Influencing Export - A Conceptual Analysis. International Journal of Management, 7(2), 2016, pp. 150-158. http://www.iaeme.com/IJM/index.asp 1. INTRODUCTION TO EXPORT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Business environment involves all those external and internal factors that influence business operation. Business environment includes broad category and varies with industry, among which export is a segment, Export business environment is a combination of Social, Technological, Economical, Political, International, Natural, Transportation and Organizational (STEP IN-TO) (Stern, 2002). Social factor in export environment is misinterpreted that, it is confined to a country or region, people view point thereby are restricted to clothing, ceremony, historical landmarks, art, food and unique natural wealth of the country or region, the answer lies much more complex (Schien, 1984). Social literally defines a group of people, consequently social factor are learned through experience and not inherited. Every people faces and respond to the life challenges arising out of environmental changes, Humans a intellectual social INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT (IJM) ISSN 0976-6502 (Print) ISSN 0976-6510 (Online) Volume 7, Issue 2, February (2016), pp. 150-158 http://www.iaeme.com/ijm/index.asp Journal Impact Factor (2016): 8.1920 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com IJM © I A E M E