An Integrated WENSLO-WASPAS Model to Prioritize Factors Contributing to Learned Helplessness in Export Processes

Sinan Çizmecioğlu; Ahmet Çalık; Abdulaziz Alshalfan; Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee

doi:10.31081/dmame8220251645

Authors

Sinan Çizmecioğlu Department of Transportation Services, Vocational School of Trade and Industry, KTO Karatay University, Konya, Turkey.
Ahmet Çalık Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Balıkesir University, Bigadiç, Balıkesir, 10145, Turkey, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
Abdulaziz Alshalfan Department of Information Systems & Operations Management, College of Business Administration, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee Department of Industrial Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 602105, Tamilnadu, India; Department of Mechanics and Mathematics, Western Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31081/dmame8220251645

Keywords:

International Trade; Learned Helplessness; Multi-Criteria Decision-Making; Weights by Envelope and Slope; Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment

Abstract

In the contemporary global economy, nations compete vigorously to strengthen their market positions, sustaining continuous production across industrial sectors to enhance comparative advantage. Within this competitive landscape, the present study examines the underlying causes of repeated export failure among firms by employing advanced multi-criteria decision-making techniques. Specifically, it analyses why certain firms, after experiencing multiple unsuccessful export attempts, refrain from independently re-engaging in international trade activities, conceptualising this phenomenon through the lens of learned helplessness within the export context. The empirical component involves seven experienced Decision-Makers (DMs) who had previously encountered recurrent export failures before ultimately establishing themselves as professional exporters. Primary data were obtained using a structured expert assessment instrument grounded in linguistic importance scales. The determinants associated with export process failure were identified through the application of the Weights by Envelope and Slope (WENSLO) method. Subsequently, the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) technique was employed to prioritise policy alternatives designed to mitigate export-related failure. The findings reveal that “Customs Clearance and Logistics Operations” constitute one of the most influential contributors to export process breakdown. Furthermore, the most effective policy intervention is determined to be the formulation of sector-specific advisory mechanisms and electronic training modules focused on documentation preparation and customs procedures. The integrated analytical framework developed in this study provides a structured decision-support mechanism for policymakers and export promotion agencies, enabling the systematic identification of critical bottlenecks in export activities and the strategic prioritisation of corrective policy measures.

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