Original Research
Size matters: Comparing the competitiveness of manufacturers of various sizes in South Africa
Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences | Vol 3, No 1 | a345 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jef.v3i1.345
| © 2018 Ewert Kleynhans
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 July 2018 | Published: 30 April 2009
Submitted: 01 July 2018 | Published: 30 April 2009
About the author(s)
Ewert Kleynhans, School of Economics, Risk Management and International Trade, North-West University, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (363KB)Abstract
The competitiveness platform of industries of various sizes is compared in this study, which also examines their competitiveness indices and aspects relating to the competitiveness platform of large, medium and small firms respectively. The reasons that small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) deserve the attention of policymakers are considered first, and the merits of large firms are then assessed. Finally, the results of an empirical investigation into the competitiveness of South African industries are considered. The study revealed that firms of different sizes have strengths and weaknesses influencing their respective international competitiveness. When development policies and strategies are designed to enhance the competitiveness of industrial SMMEs, this should be kept in mind. A firm can be enhanced, for example, through the supplying of information, infrastructure, development funds and the acquisition of modern technology. Competitiveness and productivity increase as the size of firms increases.
Keywords
competitiveness; manufacturing development; SMME; SME; firm size; industry; industrial policy; development
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