An assessment of the challenges facing SMES competitiveness in export markets in Tanzania a case study of Dar es Salaam SMEs
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
With increasing competition in the world, there is a growing interest in the competitive strategy. Political leaders, business people and media members all believe to have an idea about what competitive is. They also put forward strategies related to competitiveness. On the other hand, there are organizations and researchers who try to define competitiveness and develop proper metrics for measuring competitive power. The objective of the study was to assess the challenges facing SMEs competitiveness in export markets. Following an assessment of the challenges that affect competitiveness of a firm, the contribution of this study is in a frame work that describes competitive firm and those which are not competitive in export markets. The study used descriptive research design method generating both primary and secondary data. The population consisted 250 of which the sample was 140, out of that sample 114 SMEs located in all districts of Dar es Salaam city were cooperated and 26 of them refused. The researcher administered questionnaires to SMEs officers of the responsible firm from different department. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings of the study reveal that some of challenges that were assessed affect SMEs competitiveness in export market and others have very small impact to firm’s competitiveness in export market. Respondents dis agreed and strongly dis agreed that degree of power affect firm’s competitiveness in export market, On the other hand the financial and non financial capacity to establish new market and technology were judged to have no significant relationship with firm’s competitiveness in export markets. In the light of this study, more research is needed to provide in depth knowledge about firm level competitiveness and its effect when doing business across national boundaries. More studies are required to assess the other ignored challenges such as highly diversified markets, competition and changing business environment and identify their relationship with firm’s competitiveness. Also in the light of this study stake holders have been advised to conduct seminars to firm owners concerning competitiveness as the way to keep them active to compete with any other firm whether inside the country or outside the country.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HD2346.T34S26)
Keywords
Small business, Export marketing, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Citation
Sanga, J. (2015) An assessment of the challenges facing SMES competitiveness in export markets in Tanzania a case study of Dar es Salaam SMEs, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam