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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the existence of unobserved heterogeneity in the critical drivers of firms’ international expansion. Testing for unobserved heterogeneity assists researchers to come up with precise interpretations and valid conclusions. Design/methodology/approach Building on the resource-based view (RBV) and institution-based view, this study applies partial least squares structural equation modelling to empirically examine whether there are significant differences in the success factors among 105 export manufacturers. Findings Statistical results reveal significant differences for the relationships between: managers’ entrepreneurial capability (MEC) and export intensity (EI); a moderating effect of institutional support on the relationship between MEC and EI; and firms manufacturing capability and EI. The research results also show that the RBV is salient for all firms expanding from emerging economies. These findings provide evidence that unobserved heterogeneity is likely to lead to misinterpretations of results and false conclusions. Originality/value Despite the abundance of natural factor endowments, export performance of firms from emerging economies remains unimpressive. The unobserved heterogeneity revealed across countries calls for business actors at all levels and in different capacities to work on the synergised investment, production, and trade policies in favour of the overlooked human created endowments, particularly capabilities. Capabilities account for the largest part of unobserved heterogeneity and firms’ superior performance.

Men in sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience health disparities that are exacerbated by low employment. This study qualitatively assessed men’s perceptions of the economic and health-care-seeking effects of participation in an integrated microfinance and peer health leadership intervention on violence and HIV risk reduction in Tanzania. Three focus group discussions with 27 men, aged 20 to 44 years, examined the perceived effects on income generation, employability, mental health, and uptake of HIV and related health services. All discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding methods. Men reported that the benefits of the intervention included increased employability and income-earning activities due to greater access to entrepreneurial training, low-interest microfinancing, and male-oriented group supports to start or strengthen their businesses. Increased wages through business or other forms of employment were also attributed to men’s lower anxiety and distress as financial providers for their families. However, men indicated that apart from the uptake of free HIV testing services, there was limited change in overall health-care-seeking behavior given the high clinic fees and lost time to earn income when attending routine health visits. Men recommended that future microfinance and health promotion interventions provide larger loan amounts, less frequent repayment intervals, and access to health and social insurance. Microfinance and peer health leadership interventions may help to address economic and health disparities in poor, urban men. Efforts are needed to assist lower income men in accessing financial tools as well as fee-based preventive and health-care services.