Export behaviour of South African enterprises: Stages and attitudes towards export

Abstract

This study aims to broaden existing knowledge with respect to the export behaviour of South African enterprises. After analysing questionnaires received from 163 enterprises, as well as South African export data, it was concluded that South African enterprises exhibited similar export behaviour to that of enterprises in more developed countries. Non-exporters perceived the risks and costs of exporting to be higher than exporters. Exporters perceived the benefits to be greater than did non-exporters. However, the limited scope of South African exports when compared to more developed countries, suggests that South Africa may have some export barriers which are preventing the development of a large cadre of exporters.