- Title
- Assessing the innovation capability of South African SMEs in pursuing export opportunities
- Creator
- Mbele, Lindokuhle Peter
- Subject
- New business enterprises -- Management Technological innovations Economic aspects
- Date Issued
- 2017
- Date
- 2017
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MBA
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44443
- Identifier
- vital:37811
- Description
- Innovation is broadly perceived as an important competitive enabler for any business that needs to survive, stay ahead and prosper. In turbulently and unpredictable global environments, the capability of the organisation to continuously innovate is a key contributor to sustained competitiveness. Innovation capability focuses on making certain that the organisation possess appropriate strategies, structures, culture, leadership techniques and resourcing strategies to bolster effective execution of innovation activities. Innovation can only occur if the organisation has developed innovation capabilities. A number of South African SMEs continue to be reluctant to innovate and trade beyond the borders of their inherent country due to the risks which this involves. SMEs with sound innovation capabilities can make a significant contribution to a nation's competitiveness. Therefore investment in understanding an organisations innovation capabilities and the factors that contribute to successful innovation is necessary. This study assessed the innovation capabilities of South Africa SMEs and their ability to pursue export opportunities. The intention was to gain understanding on how innovation can be used by South African SMEs to improve exports opportunities. The findings revealed that only two thirds of the South African SMEs possess innovative capabilities. The observation was made that some SMEs believe that they are innovative even though they do not have innovative capabilities. Factors that contribute to improved export includes the ability to negotiate export transaction with international partners, the ability to adapt to changing export markets and the ability to meet export demands. These findings present an opportunity for SMEs to continuously assess their innovation capabilities and put measures in place to improve their innovation output and frequency. Globalisation threatens the former safe markets for local businesses, therefore for SMEs to be sustainable, grow and be competitive they should focus on creating innovative products that are marketable globally and continuously seek new markets.
- Format
- xi, 126 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Lindokuhle Peter Mbele (Final Treatise).pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |