Innovation strategy and export performance: A systematic review based on the PRISMA method

Abstract

In a volatile global economy, innovation is critical for enhancing firms’ export performance, particularly in emerging economies. This systematic review examines the evolution of the innovation-export nexus post-COVID-19, addressing gaps in understanding pandemic-induced shifts. Unlike Bıçakcıoğlu-Peynirci et al. (2020) and Panda and Sharma (2022), this study analyzes post-COVID-19 disruptions. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, we reviewed 54 peer-reviewed articles from 2010–2025, sourced from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Product and process innovations, alongside research and development (R&D) investments, significantly enhance export outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation, disrupted supply chains, and shifted consumer behavior, reshaping the innovation-export nexus (Elyta et al., 2023). Context-sensitive, integrated innovation strategies are essential for export competitiveness in emerging economies. This review bridges pre- and post-pandemic perspectives, providing scholars with a refined theoretical framework and practitioners with actionable insights for navigating global trade challenges (Alshamayleh, 2025).