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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Relationships between Firm Characteristics and Export Constraints in SME Exporters |
Author: | Muranda, Zororo |
Year: | 2003 |
Periodical: | Zambezia (ISSN 0379-0622) |
Volume: | 30 |
Issue: | 1 |
Pages: | 89-107 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs., ills. |
Geographic terms: | Zimbabwe Southern Africa |
Subjects: | small-scale industry exports Development and Technology Economics and Trade Economics, Commerce industry export promotion economic development Small business Medium enterprises |
Abbreviation: | SME=Small to Medium Enterprises |
External link: | https://d.lib.msu.edu/juz/775/OBJ/download |
Abstract: | This article presents the results of a nationwide survey of 124 manufacturing companies in Zimbabwe which are involved in exporting all over the world. The survey was undertaken in 1999/2000. Zimbabwe's export growth has fallen by 7.2 percent over the past two years because of a politically induced economic crisis. The article argues that, in order to overcome factors constraining exports in a depressed economy, there is a need to understand two fundamental issues, namely: how organizational and behavioural characteristics of firms influence export constraints; and the level and depth at which organizational and behavioural firm characteristics interact with factors constraining export growth and competitiveness. It appears that Zimbabwe's exporters are essentially small to medium-sized and that size, experience, and risk aversion strongly contribute to perceived constraints. Five constructs are observed to underpin the current constraints to growth and competitiveness, viz. inadequate experiential knowledge, technical skills and operational capacity, as well as uncompetitive pricing and an unsupportive business environment. Scrutiny of the constraint constructs shows that organizational characteristics explain both exporter weaknesses and their strategic shortfalls. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited] |