The influence of location on the competitiveness of South African industries

Abstract

The effects of location on the international competitiveness of South African industries are investigated in this paper. The relationship between location and its competitiveness platform is important during the establishment of new manufacturing plants, as well as in the designing of industrial development policies by government and industry. This article studies the traditional factors that influence location first, followed by the modern factors, especially those emphasised by the so-called New Economic Geography. Then the empirical findings of a survey conducted among South African manufacturers regarding their location and its influence on their industrial competitiveness are reported.