Abstract:
This body of research investigates the capability and propensity of a selection of inks and coatings manufacturing micro-, small- and medium enterprises, based in and around Cape Town in the Western Cape, to export product Academic literature reviewed emphasised the fact that the size of the organisation and the level of education resident in the organisation was an important enabler for the business to be export- ready. The evidence- based research conducted in this study found that networks linking businesses to concerns already involved in exporting was the greatest enabler. Previous export experience amongst the management certainly influenced the alacrity with which the business took to exporting (a matter of knowing the pitfalls and being able to mitigate risk beforehand). However, this was not a deterrent to entering the export market. A champion was needed to keep the export process on track The size of the business in now way impeded that business from exploiting the opportunities when they were presented. The academic literature reviewed also alluded to the poor skills available in the labour poor. The study found that businesses were able to work around these hindrances (not obstacles). The professional qualifications tended to be resident within the senior management team, which pulled the company through the exporting process. This has worked well in the short term. However it could prove a disabling factor in the long term if suitable qualified candidates could not be found to absorb and take on the running of the business after the incumbent management team leaves or retires.
