EVALUATING EXPORT POTENTIAL IN ODISHA: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MARINE AND MINERAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE DRIVERS

Abstract

This empirical study investigates the key determinants influencing export performance in Odisha’s marine and mineral sectors. Situated on India’s eastern coast, Odisha holds a comparative advantage in natural resources, yet faces persistent constraints in realising its full export potential. The study identifies four critical independent variables—Government Policy Support, Infrastructure Availability, Market Access and Intelligence, and Operational Efficiency—and evaluates their impact on export performance using a structured questionnaire-based survey of 384 respondents, encompassing exporters, logistics providers, and policy officials. A Likert-type scale instrument was administered, and the data were analysed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression techniques. The results demonstrate that all four independent variables have statistically significant and positive effects on export performance, with Government Policy Support emerging as the most influential factor, followed by Infrastructure, Market Access, and Operational Efficiency. The regression model shows high explanatory power (R² = 0.791), indicating the robustness of the model and the reliability of the measurement tool. The findings offer practical implications for policy refinement, infrastructure investment, and market development strategies. The study fills a critical empirical gap by contextualising export determinants at the subnational level and provides actionable recommendations for enhancing Odisha’s export competitiveness, especially in high-potential resource-based sectors. Future research may consider comparative state-level analyses to enrich policy outcomes.