In recent years, trade-control laws and regulations such as embargoes and sanctions have gained importance. However, there is limited empirical research on the ways in which small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) respond to such coercive economic measures. Building on the literature on organizational responses to external demands and behavioral ethics, this study addresses this issue to better understand how external pressures and managerial decision-making are associated with the scope of trade-control compliance programs. Based on a sample of 289 SMEs, the findings show that the organizational responses of SMEs reflect proportionate adjustments to regulatory pressures but only if decision-makers are well informed and aware of the prevailing rules and regulations. Conversely, uninformed decision-making leads to a disproportionate response resulting in an inadequately reduced scope of the compliance program. In addition, the results indicate that SMEs that are highly integrated into supply chains are susceptible to passing-the-buck behavior.

近年来，诸如禁运和制裁之类的贸易控制法律法规变得越来越重要。但是，关于中小企业对这种强制性经济措施的反应方式的实证研究有限。基于有关组织对外部需求和行为道德的反应的文献，本研究解决了这个问题，以更好地理解外部压力和管理决策如何与贸易控制合规计划的范围相关联。基于对289家中小型企业的抽样调查，结果表明，中小型企业的组织反应反映了对监管压力的相应调整，但前提是决策者必须充分了解并了解现行法规。反过来，不明智的决策会导致不适当的响应，从而导致合规计划范围的缩小。此外，结果表明，高度集成到供应链中的中小型企业容易受到“推卸责任”行为的影响。