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Textile and clothing industry competitiveness in the Southern African region

  • Authors: Mwamayi, Kibunji Adam
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Textile industry -- Africa, Southern , Clothing trade -- Africa, Southern , Competition, International , Africa, Southern -- Economic policy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: vital:9137 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018684
  • Description: This is a study of the relationship between approaches to people management and competitiveness, by examining the case of the textile and clothing industry in Southern Africa. The textile and clothing industry has historically played a major role in many national economies (including many southern African countries) contributing not only to overall economic growth, but also to the creation of significant numbers of relatively well-paid jobs. In the Southern African Region (SAR), the textile and clothing industry has undergone many structural pressures in the face of increased cheap imports from South-East Asian countries – above all, China and Bangladesh - which have resulted in the closure of many firms, and the significant downsizing of many survivors. This study seeks to explore the relationship between HR practice and organizational sustainability in the textile and clothing industry in Southern Africa region, with a particular emphasis on the cases of three countries: South Africa, Mauritius and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whilst at very different stages of national development, and with distinct political and developmental histories, all three countries were subject to active industrial policies, including the development of national clothing and textile industries. Again, all have faced the challenge of sustaining these industries in the face of liberalization and intensive competition from the Far East. This study is based on a multi-method approach, combining in-depth interviews with national industry surveys, and the usage of relevant documentary sources. It takes cognizance of the increasing relevance of new HRM practices and discourses to the growing field of Development Studies in the 21st century. The existing HRM literature suggests that there are a number of alternative people management strategies through which firms may secure their competitiveness, most notably strategic approaches to hard HRM (which treats people as an instrument to be strategically deployed to promote competitiveness), soft HRM (which promotes cooperative approaches to managing people) and traditional labour repression (managing people simply as a cost, to be managed in a short-term, un-strategic manner). The literature on HRM in Africa has suggested an alternative paradigm, which combines autocratic paternalism with elements of communitarianism. This study found that the bulk of firms encompassed by the study employed HR policies that recognizably fell within the soft HRM paradigm, enabling high value added production. However, an important exception lies in the area of security of tenure: firms tended to combine high levels of employee involvement and participation; as well as a commitment to human resource development, along with a persistent reliance on the usage of redundancies to adjust changes in the relative need for labour. Hence, this study highlights the limitations of theoretical approaches which see HR strategies as being necessarily coherent and self-reinforcing. Firms may broadly adhere to one approach, whilst adopting aspects of another as needs arise and in response to external pressures. An important exception to this was Mauritius, in which security of tenure appeared to be stronger, perhaps owing to the greater ease of enforcing regulations against illegal imports in a relatively small island country by allowing firms to plan for the future with greater confidence. In contrast, firms in South Africa were characterized by much lower security of tenure, against a backdrop of declining profits, reflecting the competitive challenges posed not only by legitimate low cost imports, but also illegal imports and the proliferation of rural sweatships. One again, this study highlights the relative fragility of the position of many firms and the continued importance of governmental support, most notably in terms of export incentives, support and facilitation in the adoption of new technologies, as well as better policing against illegal imports.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the face of the changing global health and environmental standards

  • Authors: Ndou, Portia
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
  • Identifier: vital:11162 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/477 , Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Safety regulations , Agricultural industries -- Safety regulations , Food -- Safety measures -- International cooperation , Export marketing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Competition, International
  • Description: 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.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Strategy formulation, alignment and implementation to ensure that Behr is competitive internationally : a case study

  • Authors: Samuels, Donald
  • Date: 2006
  • Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Competition, International , Globalization , Strategic planning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8761 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011685 , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Competition, International , Globalization , Strategic planning
  • Description: South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 has heralded a re-entry into the global economy. This has meant that for the first time in more than 40 years of isolation because of “apartheid” policies, South African companies are facing global competition. The South African automotive industry has undergone major changes over the past few years. All the assemblers are now either wholly or partially owned by overseas parent companies. Under globalisation, foreign ownership of locally owned suppliers has also been escalating. The Behr strategy and values were examined to determine whether they are consistent with companies operating in the international environment. The literature study was conducted by using textbooks, periodicals and the internet. The empirical study was conducted by means of a questionnaire addressed to the Behr executives. The results of this empirical study were then directly correlated to the theoretical aspects. Distinctive competences, market growth and product development strategies were identified and comparisons made with theory.
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  • Date Issued: 2006

Increasing competitiveness through the enhancement of logistics processes in the South African automotive industry

  • Authors: Njokweni, Thobela
  • Date: 2005
  • Subjects: Business logistics , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Competition, International
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/418 , Business logistics , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Competition, International
  • Description: Logistics has become one of the automotive industry's most crucial sub-sectors. Previously, logistics had to step aside to make way for production considerations. Today it is regarded as being every bit as crucial as production in the global village. Advancement of logistics in South Africa is crucial because original equipment manufacturers are producing to developed world standards but are having to cope with low developing world logistics standards. The logistics processes that need to be enhanced in order for the South African automotive industry to be more competitive were investigated. To examine the main problem, three sub-problems were identified. The first sub-problem that has been identified dealt with logistics processes that will enhance the competitive advantage of the South African automotive industry. The second sub-problems looked at key logistics opportunities and threats to the environment in which South African motor manufactures trade. They were investigated by assessing the nature of the South African motor manufacturing industry. Finally, the third sub-problem investigated conclusions that can be arrived at concerning the appropriateness and strategic value of the analysis.
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  • Date Issued: 2005

Analysis of the modes of entry into the central East Africa market for a multinational enterprise

  • Authors: Knight, John Lawry Cole
  • Date: 2001
  • Subjects: Export marketing , Competition, International , International business enterprises
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:10842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38 , Export marketing , Competition, International , International business enterprises
  • Description: The research problem addressed in this study is to determine the potential of selling and marketing consumer goods by Multinational Enterprises (MNE) within the African markets. The mode of entry, the timing of entry, the different modes of entry, selection of the entry mode, the political and economic risks, core competencies of the company and strategic alliance was researched. To achieve this, research was executed on the above areas of importance using relevant literature in which an understanding of the international markets and their options of modes of entry were highlighted. In this way one is able to understand the importance of the international markets and the concerns of doing business in Africa in order to select the entry mode that could best suit the company and the country or countries in Africa. The literature study was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which managers in MNE in South Africa (SA) and Central East Africa (CEA) concur with regard to the decisions, risks, procedure, modes of entry and selection of modes of entry into Africa. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the analysis of the modes of entry into CEA market for an MNE. The analysis of the literature study, Chapter 2 and 3, gives business a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the problems and opportunities associated with the entry decisions into CEA. Many other companies are entering the African markets from other parts of the world and SA has also been seen as a launching pad into Africa. The analysis will give companies the edge in seeing the problems and opportunities in African markets and the way forward when deciding to enter.
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  • Date Issued: 2001

A framework to achieve or support competitiveness in South African automotive component manufacturing companies

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