Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The goal of the study was to identify the ideal positioning strategy for the South African Apple and Pear industry to successfully compete as a supplier against Chile in the European retail environment. The hypothesis of the study states that the ideal positioning strategy for South Africa is a combination between a Corporate and a Generic strategy. The Corporate strategy would focus on what wants to be achieved while the Generic strategy would focus on how it needs to be achieved. A strategy framework combining available corporate strategies with available Generic strategies identified 12 potential corporate/generic strategy combinations. The outcome of the study would be the selection of the combination most suited to take the South African Apple and Pear industry into the future. The research in this study included a full description of both the South African and Chilean industries discussing the physical, economic and political environment as well as the available human resources and industry structures. A thorough description of the European retail environment was followed by an external analysis identifying the key success factors required to successfully supply this market. The key success factors were used as the framework to do an internal situational analysis of the South African and Chilean industries. The internal situational analysis identified the key areas that South Africa needs to focus on to improve its competitive position against Chile in the European retail market. These key areas were pivotal in the selection of the optimal corporate / generic strategy combination. The outcome of the study identified a Market penetration strategy (Corporate strategy) through the use of a Differentiation (Generic strategy) as most suited to improve the competitiveness of the South African Apple and Pear industry. This strategy will grow demand and market share for South African apples and pears in the existing EU retail market for its existing product range by focusing on: 1. Improving the retail value and sales volume of SA apples and pears in the European retail market through:  In-store promotional and media campaigns that will create awareness of South African apples and pears and SA Tourism as well as educate and communicate consumers about the attributes and different uses of SA apples and pears as well as SA Tourism opportunities.  The identification of all South African apples and pears through on-pack branding by using the “South Africa, Alive with Possibility brand”. In-pack information booklets providing nutritional information and recipes for South African apples and pears. 2. Communication of real time supply information to European retailers and importers through:  E-mailing retail buyers direct website links giving them access to the weekly South African Pome Fruit newsletters indicating crop estimates, weekly inspection volumes and shipment volumes per variety. 3. Active engagements with the SA government to gain their involvement and financial support for promotional activities in retail stores through:  Active lobbying by industry representatives for the involvement of SA Tourism, the Department of Trade and Industry and the International Marketing Council in promotional campaigns where SA Apples and Pears are used as a vehicle to enhance the image of the South Africa amongst consumers, retailers and importers. 4. The active communication at an industry level to European retailers and importers about the South African Apple and Pear industry’s progress regarding the management of the carbon footprint of its products as well as the production of residue free fruit through.  Yearly visits by industry representatives to European retailers and importers where South African progress reports in these areas are presented. The assessment highlighted that South Africa is relatively strong throughout the value chain activities but that the lack of a unified industry whereby its strengths are communicated to consumers, retailers and importers, has led to South Africa loosing market share to Chile.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to define export performance and to identify factors which influence or improve export performance. There is a considerable lack of coherence among scholars on what export performance is; from whose viewpoint to measure it, namely the government, the company, the product or the specific market exported to and the time frame. A variety of factors was found to influence export performance positively and these are tested on a Cape Town based pumpkin exporter. It was concluded that net profit is the only consistently valid measure of export performance .. To achieve success in exports require the expertise of overseas distributors and agents as well as a world-oriented approach where delivery and services is important. When exporting a perishable agricultural product it is important to compete on superior quality and to concentrate on a few major markets. Success in any export venture depends primarily on top-management commitment, management being prepared to endure setbacks in order to become successful and channelling its attitude towards risk-taking into positively influencing export performarice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om uitvoerprestasie te meet en die faktore wat uitvoerprestasie bepaal, te identifiseer. Daar is teenstrydigheid tussen navorsers oor presies wat uitvoerprestasie is, asook die uitgangspunt vanwaar dit gemeet word, naamlik die regering, die maatskappy, die produk, die spesifieke mark waarheen uitgevoer word en die tydraam. 'n Verskeidenheid faktore is geïdentifiseer wat uitvoerprestasie positief beïnvloed en dit word getoets op 'n Kaapstadse pampoenuitvoerder. Daar is gevind dat nettowins die enigste betroubare en geldige maatstaf is om uitvoerprestasie te meet. Die gebruik van oorsese verspreiders en agente, asook 'n wêreld-georiënteerde benadering van lewering en diens is belangrik vir suksesvolle uitvoere. Wanneer 'n bederfbare landbouproduk uitgevoer word, is dit belangrik om mee te ding op grond van voortreflike diens en deur te konsentreer op 'n paar hoofmarkte. Sukses in enige uitvoerprojek hang hoofsaaklik af van die toewyding van topbestuur, of bestuur bereid is om terugslae te verduur ten einde suksesvol te raak en deurdat bestuur sy benadering jeens risiko in die regte rigting kanaliseer ten einde uitvoere positief te beïnvloed.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African exports increased substantially during recent years and were assisted by the depreciation of the Rand. During this time exports to the European Union and the United States blossomed, but proportionally exports to the growing region of South East Asia still remained at a low level. The major global players consider the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an important trading partner in global trade, but the South African market share is minimal in the ASEAN market. The question that now has to be answered is: do opportunities exist for South African exporters in ASEAN or is it due to a lack of opportunities that exports are at the current level? In investigating the opportunities for South African exporters in ASEAN, it is important to know what approach should be followed to select an attractive country for a product or a product group. Therefore this study is aimed at proving an insight into the concept of international market selection and to highlight the approaches in international market selection that could benefit South African exporters. This study also investigates the influence of ASEAN as a regional organisation in global trade and its relationship with South Africa. An overview is given of the regionalism trend and the major regional organisations important in this regard. The political approaches that ASEAN's major trading partners followed to enhance trade are also investigated in order to re-evaluate the South Africa's current relationship with ASEAN. In order to enhance trade, the advantages ASEAN has to offer are also highlighted. Based on previous research literature on international market selection and against the background of the regionalism trend in global trade, a new international market selection model will be developed in this study for South African and international use. This will provide SA exporters with a systematic approach that will enable them to select the most attractive countries for their products or product groups in the global arena. In order to understand the practical application of the model, South Africa as the exporting country and ASEAN as the importing region will be used as a case study. The model will identify the most attractive countries for each of South Africa's product groups according to the 96 chapters of the Harmonised Commodity Description System (HS) linked to product groups and industries based on actual trade data. Based on South Africa's competitive export advantage in the 96 chapters of the HS linked to product groups and industries, opportunities will be identified in the most attractive countries in ASEAN selected by the international market selection model. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoere het aansienlik gestyg die afgelope paar jaar en was veral bygestaan deur die depresiasie van die Rand. Gedurende hierdie tydperk het uitvoere na die Europese Unie en die Verenigde State van Amerika die hoogty gevier, maar proporsioneel het uitvoere na die groeiende streek van Suidoos-Asië nog steeds op 'n lae vlak gebly. Die vernaamste globale spelers beskou die Assosiasie van Suidoos-Asiese Nasies (ASEAN) as 'n belangrike handelsvennoot in globale handel, maar Suid-Afrika se markaandeel in die ASEAN mark is minimaal. Die vraag wat nou beantwoord moet word is as volg: Bestaan daar geleenthede vir Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoerders in ASEAN of is dit as gevolg van 'n tekort aan geleenthede dat uitvoere huidiglik op hierdie vlak is? In die ondersoek na geleenthede vir Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoerders in ASEAN, is dit belangrik om te weet watter benadering gevolg moet word om die mees aantreklike land te selekteer vir 'n produk of produkgroep. Daarom is die studie daarop gerig om insigte te verskaf oor die konsep van internasionale markseleksie en om die benaderings uit te lig in internasionale markseleksie wat Suid-Afikaanse uitvoerders kan bevoordeel. Die studie ondersoek ook die invloed van ASEAN as 'n regionale organisasie in globale handel en hul verhouding met Suid-Afrika. 'n Oorsig word gegee oor die regionale tendens in internasionale handel en die vernaamste regionale organisasies wat belangrik is in hierdie verband. Die politieke benaderings van ASEAN se vernaamste handelsvennote om hul handel te bevorder word ook ondersoek om Suid-Afrika se huidige verhouding met ASEAN te herevauleer. Om handel te bevorder word die voordele wat ASEAN kan bied ook uitgelig. 'n Nuwe internasionale markseleksie model word ontwikkel in hierdie studie vir Suid- Afrikaanse en internasional verbruik teen die agtergrond van regionalisme en wat gebaseer is op vorige navorsings literatuur oor internasionale markseleksie. Dit sal Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoerders 'n sistematiese benadering verskaf wat hulle in staat sal stel om die mees aantreklike lande vir hulle produkte en produkgroepe globaal te selekteer. Om die praktiese toepassing van die model te verstaan, sal Suid-Afrika as die uitvoerland en ASEAN as die invoerstreek gebruik word as 'n gevallestudie. Die model sal die mees aantreklike lande identifiseer vir elk van Suid-Afrika se produkgroepe volgens die 96 Hoofstukke van die "Harmonised Commodity Description System" (HS) wat verbind kan word met produkgroepe gebaseer op bestaande handelsdata. Geleenthede in die mees aantreklike lande in ASEAN wat deur die internationale markseleksie model selekteer is, word identifiseer gebaseer op SUid-Afrika se kompeterende uitvoervoordeel in die 96 Hoofstukke van die HS wat verbind kan word aan produkgroepe.

Economia e Gestão Internacional / Master in International Economics and Management / A participação de empresários em visitas oficiais realizadas por Chefes de Estado ou de Governo é uma forma das entidades oficiais promoverem a internacionalização e as exportações das empresas. Existe um vasto corpo de literatura sobre estudos que se debruçaram sobre a promoção das exportações e sobre a avaliação de programas de promoção das exportações. Contudo, até à data, parece não ter sido avaliada a utilidade das visitas oficiais como meio de promoção das exportações. Nesse sentido, este estudo é um contributo para a literatura teórica e empírica. É apresentada uma base teórica para fundamentar a utilidade das visitas oficiais, elaborada a partir da literatura existente sobre a promoção das exportações, programas de promoção das exportações e missões comerciais. A nível empírico, este estudo aferiu a percepção dos empresários portugueses acerca da utilidade das visitas oficiais, através da realização de um inquérito aos empresários que participaram em 12 visitas oficiais organizadas pelos Chefes de Estado e de Governo, entre 2005 e 2008. Adicionalmente, o estudo propõe um modelo multivariável que analisa em que medida as características estruturais das empresas, e, as características associadas à visita oficial, podem afectar o modo como os empresários avaliam a utilidade das visitas oficiais para a concretização de determinados objectivos. Os resultados sugerem que a qualidade dos contactos e das informações obtidas durante a visita é um factor estatisticamente significativo e contribui positivamente para todos os objectivos avaliados. Os resultados revelam ainda, que factores como a dimensão, o capital estrangeiro, a intensidade exportadora, a intensidade de inovação, a experiência exportadora no mercado visitado, a existência de contactos ou negócios prévios, ou o facto de ser a primeira vez que a empresa visita o mercado, tendem a afectar o modo como as empresas avaliam a utilidade das visitas oficiais para a realização de determinados objectivos. / The participation of businessmen in official visits done by Heads of State or Government is a way found by official authorities to promote exports and the internationalization of the firms. There is a large body of literature about export promotion and the evaluation of export promotion programs. However, to date, it seems has not been evaluated the usefulness of official visits as a way to promote firms exports. This study provides a theoretical and empirical contribution to the literature. The study presents a theoretical basis to substantiate the usefulness of official visits found in the literature about export promotion, export promotion programs and trade missions. A survey was done questioning Portuguese businessmen who had participated in 12 official visits to evaluate the usefulness of those visits. Additionally, the study proposes a multivariable model to examine how firm and visit caractheristics do affect, or not, the firms evaluation about official visits. The estimated results suggest that the quality of contacts and information gained during the visit positively affect the impact over a set of objectives. The results also reveal that factors such as firm s size, foreign ownership, export intensity, R&D intensity, experience in the market, the existence of previous contacts or business, or first visit to the market affect the firms evaluation about some objectives of official visits.

Abstract not available

In 2001, the Government of India announced a program for the establishment of Agricultural Export Zones (AEZ). This is the first national program in India to adopt a regional approach to promoting exports of agricultural products, with the combined action of the central and state governments. The gherkin AEZ, covering eight districts of Karnataka, was notified in November 2001. Gherkin is an export-oriented vegetable that is being produced and exported from Karnataka since the late 1980s. Exploration of data on gherkin exports and cultivation costs, for the period 2001-06, revealed the following trends, namely, the share of value of total exports from the gherkin AEZ in India’s gherkin exports has declined from 81% to about 54%; overall (bulk + bottled) gherkin export quantities and value from the AEZ have grown with an annual rate of 18% and 21% respectively; unit price of AEZ bulk gherkins in 200506 is about 4% higher than its unit price in 2001-02 while the unit price of AEZ bottled gherkins is lower by about 9%; and the cost of gherkin cultivation has increased by about 27%. The aim of this research is to apply a stakeholder-based planning framework for enhancing the performance of the Gherkin AEZ in Karnataka. To meet the research aim, the following objectives were defined: 1.Forecasting the primary performance indicators of the gherkin AEZ, in the medium term, given the current policy environment 2.Conducting stakeholder analysis, identifying system structures that influence the gherkin AEZ’s performance and the interventions preferred by stakeholders to enhance gherkin AEZ performance 3.Exploring probable impacts of the identified interventions on gherkin AEZ’s competitiveness 4.Developing policy suggestions and a planning framework for enhancing the performance of the Gherkin AEZ Towards meeting the research objectives, the following approach has been used. One, data has been collected on AEZ performance indicators. Evolution of those variables, given the prevailing policy environment, is forecast using the Seasonal Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) methodology. Second, System elements of the gherkin AEZ are identified and organized as a system dynamics model. Stakeholder analysis of the Gherkin AEZ has been done to identify stakeholder groups. Preferred interventions for improvement of AEZ performance are collected from most stakeholders, and the impact of key interventions on system elements is qualitatively assessed. Considering the large number of system elements and the interrelationships between them, a multiple criteria decision making technique, the analytic network process, is used to describe the decision making environment and prioritize the system elements (factors and subfactors influencing AEZ performance, stakeholder objectives and interventions). Third, the probable impact of preferred interventions on competitiveness of gherkin cultivation in the AEZ is assessed using the Policy Analysis Matrix. Fourth, the analysis and learnings are integrated to suggest policy interventions and develop a planning framework for improved performance of the gherkin AEZ. The 3-year SARIMA models, to forecast the AEZ’s performance indicators, indicate a continued growth in the quantities of gherkin exports from the AEZ with a higher rate of growth in exports of bottled gherkins. The forecast also indicate a continued fall in the unit prices of both bottled and bulk gherkins. Stakeholder analysis and System dynamic models indicate the presence of several stakeholders with multiple objectives, multiple factors which influenced AEZ performance, and several preferred interventions. In this multiple criteria decision making environment, the system elements along with dependencies shown in the system dynamics model, the interventions collected from stakeholders (alternatives), and stakeholder objectives derived from stakeholder analysis, are organized to develop an Analytic Network Process (ANP) model. The cluster priorities from the ANP model indicate that global trade conditions are the most important determinant of AEZ performance. The limit matrix indicates that the element of tastes and preferences of world consumers obtains the highest priority followed by price of other countries’ gherkins, and sanitary and phytosanitary conditions as applicable to Gherkins. The probable impacts of the identified interventions on competitiveness of gherkin cultivation in the AEZ are assessed by applying the policy analysis matrix (PAM). Synthesis of sectoral performance data and factors, results of the system dynamics, ANP and PAM analysis resulted in the development of the planning framework for the gherkin AEZ. Overall, the results and analyses demonstrate that the AEZ program should focus on increasing demand, enhancing prices of AEZ gherkins and reducing cultivation costs. Towards achieving this, recommended policy interventions have been prioritized and participating stakeholders identified. This work represents an application of the multiple criteria methodology of the ANP to agricultural regional planning. The system dynamic methodology has been integrated with ANP to identify the important elements in the gherkin AEZ. This thesis on agricultural exports planning has collected and used micro data (price, product form and grade data) to identify and analyze sectoral issues.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 312-338).

The new South Africa has an amazing economic growth that creates a significant opportunity for international companies to start their businesses in South Africa. For those companies which are interested in the South African market, it is very important for them to understand the factors that influence their entry-mode selection. The objective of this study is to determine the main factors that have an impact on the decision of a foreign business to enter South Africa. To achieve this objective, the researcher used an integrated study method, as follows: {u10007A} A systematic review of the popular entry-modes and the main factors influencing the entry-mode selection, sourced from the relevant literature. In addition, South African business was also introduced. {u10007A} Based on the factors related in the literature, an empirical survey was completed by those foreign companies who had already successfully entered into South Africa, in order to figure out the rank importance of these factors. With an integrated study of literature and empirical research, the rank importance of factors that have an impact on the foreign business entry-mode selection in South Africa is as follows: 1. Firm’s product 2. Control level of entry-mode 3. Ownership of entry 4. Resource commitment of entry-mode 5. Political factor 6. Firm’s objective 7. Technological factors 8. Economic factors 9. Firm’s experience in international marketing 10. Firm’s size 11. Dissemination risk of entry-mode 12. Socio-cultural factors 13. Flexibility of entry-mode Key terms: International market entry-mode South African business environment.

In recent years, concern about food safety linked to health issues has seen a rise in private food safety standards in addition to the regulations set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). These have presented challenges to producers and exporters of agricultural food products especially the producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. In spite of the food safety-linked challenges from the demand side, the vast range of business-environment forces pose equally formidable challenges that negatively impact on the exporting industries’ ability to maintain or improve their market shares and their ability to compete in world markets. The objective of this study was therefore to establish the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the international markets within this prevailing scenario. Due to the diversity of the definitions of competitiveness as a concept, this study formulated the following working definition: “the ability to create, deliver and maintain value and constant market share through strategic management of the industrial environment or competitiveness drivers”. This was based on the understanding that the international market shares of an industry are a function of forces in the business environment which range from intra-industry, external and national as well as the international elements. The unit of analysis were the citrus producers engaged in export of their products and the study made use of 151 responses by producers. The study adopted a five-step approach to the analysis of the performance of the South African citrus industry in the global markets, starting with the analysis of the Constant Market Share (CMS) of the South African citrus industry in various world markets, establishing the impact of the business environmental factors upon competitiveness, establishing the costs of compliance with private food safety standards, determining the non-price benefits of compliance with the standards, as well as highlighting the strategies for enhancing long-term competitiveness of the industry in the international markets. South Africa is one of the top three countries dominating the citrus fruit export market. Since its entry into the citrus fruit exports market in the 1900s, the industry has sustained its activity in the international market. The Constant Market Share Analysis shows that, amidst the challenges on the international market side, and the changes in the business environment, over much of which the industry has limited control and influence, the industry has maintained its competitive advantage in several markets. The CMS shows that South Africa’s lemons are competitive in America. Despite a negative trend, the South African grapefruit has been competitive in France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Oranges have been competitive in the Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK, Asian and Northern Europe markets. Competitiveness in these markets has been due to the inherent competitiveness of the industry. Competitiveness in such markets as the Middle East has been attributed to the relatively rapid growth of these markets. The South African citrus industry has similarly undergone many major processes of transformation. The business environmental factors influencing its performance have ranged reform to the challenges beyond the country’s borders. These factors directly and indirectly affect the performance of the industry in the export market. They have influenced the flow of fruits into different international destinations. Of major concern are the food safety and private standards. Challenges in traditional markets as well as opportunities presented by demand from newly emerging citrus consuming nations have seen a diversification in the marketing of the South African citrus. The intensity of competition in the global market is reflected by the fluctuations in the market shares in different markets as well as the increase and fluctuations of fruit rejection rates in some lucrative markets such as America. A combination of challenging national environmental forces and stringent demand conditions negatively impact on revenues especially from markets characterised by price competitiveness. This study identified cost of production, foreign market support systems, adaptability, worker skills, challenges of management in an international environment and government policies such as labour and trade policies as some of the most influential obstacles to competitiveness. Some of the most competiveness-enhancing factors were market availability, market size, market information, market growth and the availability of research institutions. However, compliance with private standards still poses a challenge to the exporters. The different performance levels of the industry in various markets prove the dissimilarity of the demand conditions in the global market. These are supported by the negative influence associated with the foreign market support regimes as well as the challenges associated with compliance with private food safety standards. While market availability, market growth, market information and size were identified as enhancing competitiveness, the fluctuations and inconsistencies in the competitiveness of the industry in different foreign markets require more than finding markets. Resource allocation by both the government and the industry may need to take into account the off-setting of the national challenges and support of farmers faced with distorted and unfair international playing fields. Otherwise, market availability is not a challenge for the industry save meeting the specifications therewith as well as price competitiveness which is unattainable for the South African citrus producers faced with high production costs. For the purposes of further study, it is recommended that account should be taken of all the products marketed by the industry (including processed products such as fruit juices) in order to have a whole picture of the competitiveness of the industry in the international market. This study also proffers a new theoretical framework for the analysis of the business environment for the citrus industry and other agro-businesses. This framework takes into account the indispensability of the food safety standards and measures as well as the diversity of the global consumer and the non-negotiability of food trade for the sustenance of the growing population.

This study uses annual data for the period 1975-2014 for South Africa and Botswana, and 1979-2013 for Lesotho to examine empirically the impact of trade openness on economic growth in these three South African Customs Union (SACU) countries. The motivation for this study is that SACU countries are governed by the common agreement for the union that oversees the movement of goods that enter the SACU area. However, although these countries are in a com-mon union, they have quite different levels of development. Based on the country’s level of development, Lesotho is a lower middle-income and least developed country, whereas Botswana and South Africa are upper middle-income economies. Thus, these disparities in the levels of economic development of SACU countries i are expected to have different implications in relation to the extent to which trade openness affects economic growth. It is within this background that the current study seeks to examine what impact trade openness has on economic growth in each of the three selected countries. To check the robustness of the empirical results, this study uses four equations based on four different indicators of trade openness to examine the linkage between trade openness and economic growth. While Equation 1, Equation 2 and Equation 3 employ trade-based indicators of openness, Equation 4 uses a modified version of the UNCTAD (2012a) trade openness index that incorporates differences in country size and geography. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to cointegration and error-correction modelling, the study found that the impact of trade openness on economic growth varies across the three SACU countries. Based on the results for the first three equations, the study found that trade openness has a positive impact on economic growth in South Africa and Botswana, whereas it has no significant impact on economic growth in Lesotho. Based on Equation 4 results, the study found that after taking the differences in country size and geography into account, trade openness has a positive impact on economic growth in Botswana, but an insignificant impact in South Africa and Lesotho. For South Africa and Botswana, the main recommendation from this study is that policy makers should pursue policies that promote total trade to increase economic growth in both the short and the long run. For Lesotho, the study recommends, among other things, the adoption of policies aimed at enhancing human capital and infrastructural development as well as the broadening of exports, so as to enable the economy to grow to a threshold level necessary for the realisation of significant gains from trade. / Economics / Ph. D. (Economics)