I had submitted a paper based on the factors influence SMEs internationalization. Owners and managers experience in int. firms used as a control variable.

Five likert scale: 0= no experience to 5 as 20 years or more exp. Int also 5 likert scale.

Now Reviewer commented.

"It may be possible that international operations were initiated by an owner 10 years ago but the questionnaire was fulfilled by a manager who has been working for a company just for one year. How this issue is addressed?"

It is difficult now to find out those particular managers as data is already analyzed and we have not asked it earlier in our questionnaire.

what is your view? What I have to reply.

Thanks.