As a result of globalisation, firms across both developed and developing countries are
experiencing increased competition. Globalisation has both positive and negative consequences
for firms, and the net effect may depend on the manner in which the country where a firm is
located participates in the global market. Both the global commodity chain (GCC) and global
value chain (GVC) approaches assess countries' integration (either successfully or
unsuccessfully) into the global market.
The international floriculture industry is one that is constantly changing and has a highly
competitive environment. These challenges require that its participants be successfully integrated
into the market and constantly improve their competitive positions. The South African
floriculture industry has become more integrated into the global market since it opened up its
economy in 1994. Both revenue and employment in this industry have increased since then.
However, South Africa remains fairly uncompetitive compared with its African counterparts.
The overall aim of this study was to assess the impact of the global floriculture industry on both
the competitiveness of the South African floriculture industry and its integration into the global
market. The GCC and GVC approaches were used in this assessment. The literature study
provided background to these approaches in the context of globalisation. A detailed description
was further given to the attributes and challenges of the global floriculture arena, together with a
delineation of the South African floriculture industry.
The empirical study was conducted through a mail-based questionnaire, which was mailed to the
members of the South African Flower Export Council. The response rate of the survey was 59
per cent and can be considered high for a mail-based questionnaire. The responses were analysed
according to the elements of the GVC and GCC approaches. This enabled an analysis of the
global chains that the exporters form part of. Hence, it identified the role players and variables
within these chains that influence the ultimate income of the floriculture industry.
From the empirical findings it was possible to determine the South African export floriculture
industry's strengths and weaknesses. The conclusion drawn was that the South African
floriculture industry functions successful internationally, according to the elements of the GCC
and GVC approaches. However, the industry does not participate to its full potential in the global
market and lacks competitiveness. These findings supported the assumptions in the literature
study. Once the South African floriculture exporters become more export-oriented (i.e. shift their
focus from the domestic to the international market), the industry's competitiveness will
enhance. Becoming further integrated into the global market by increasing both the volumes and
values of their exports can do this. Ultimately the exporters will be able to move into better and
more competitive global chains (i.e. export more directly). / Thesis (M.Com. (International Commerce))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/708 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Matthee, Marianne |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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