Small manufacturing enterprises and exporting in South Africa: a preliminary assessment of key export success factors

This study, applying different statistical techniques on survey data, depicts variables that increase the probability to export of a small enterprise. Our analysis shows that business linkages such as networks, joint ventures and subsidiaries play an important role in increasing the probability to export of small enterprises. In addition to that, access to information, access to capital and the level of education increase the probability of a small enterprise to be an exporter. Consequently, we suggest that a national small business strategy should incorporate an element of networking amongst small enterprises and that small enterprise programs should encourage intermediaries to assist not only with networks but also with international market intelligence.