Monday, February 04, 2013
Tweet[IWS] INTERNATIONALIZATION--A DRIVER FOR BUSINESS PERFORMANCE [30 January 2013]
IWS Documented News Service
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Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
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Deutsche Post & DHL
INTERNATIONALIZATION--A DRIVER FOR BUSINESS PERFORMANCE [30 January 2013]
www.dp-dhl.com/content/dam/presse/pdf/2013/sme-competitiveness-study.pdf
[full-text, 46 pages]
In an exacting economic environment, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have been presented with a
challenge. A challenge to grow and increase the profitability of their businesses against a backdrop of often weak
demand.
This report summarises the results of research into the performance and competitiveness of SMEs in this business
environment, with a specific focus on attempts by SMEs to ‘internationalise’ their businesses and how this impacts
on their growth. The research involves analysis of SMEs across 12 countries – the G7 and the BRIC economies
with the addition of another emerging market, Mexico (‘BRICM’). The report studies SMEs that have international
operations, as well as ‘high-performing SMEs’ (see below for definition). Of particular interest is the overlap
between these two groups – SMEs that have international operations and are high-performing – prompting the
thought that trading internationally is itself a driver of performance.
The main purpose of the study is to
1. Identify and describe international SMEs, their drivers and challenges.
2. Draw insights of what makes an international SME competitive.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 3
1.1. Background 4
1.2. Methodology 5
2. Analysis 7
2.1. International SMEs 8
2.1.1. International business activities 8
2.1.2. International competitive advantages 15
2.2. High-performers 17
2.2.1. High-performing SMEs 17
2.2.2. International high-performing SMEs 18
3. Conclusion 23
4. Annexes 25
Annex 1: Questionnaire: drivers of competitiveness for
SME’s trading internationally 26
Annex 2: Country focus 31
Press Release 30 January 2013
Internationally-focused small & medium companies prosper in 'global village'
■Study shows that SMEs engaged in international markets are twice as likely to be successful as those only operating domestically
■Growing focus on international trade among SMEs
■'20th century infrastructure, high customs duties and an information gap on international trade' present SME stumbling blocks
or
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