Technology and the Export Behavior of Small, Locally- owned Firms: New Insight

This paper investigates the relationship between technology and the export performance of small, locally-owned firms in the Jamaican economy. The literature argues that technology is an important variable in influencing the export performance of small firms given its technological ability to generate competitive advantage for the firm. However, the results from empirical studies are not always consistent. To investigate this issue, the paper uses survey data collected through face-to-face interviews of 92 exporters and non-exporters to estimate a logistic regression model of the firm’s export behavior. The results revealed that firm size, is the most critical factor that determines export performance. This result resonates with some aspects of existent literature while not finding resonance with others. The context specific nature of this result is what makes it novel

Technology and the Export Behavior of Small, Locally- owned Firms: New Insight

This paper investigates the relationship between technology and the export performance of small, locally-owned firms in the Jamaican economy. The literature argues that technology is an important variable in influencing the export performance of small firms given its technological ability to generate competitive advantage for the firm. However, the results from empirical studies are not always consistent. To investigate this issue, the paper uses survey data collected through face-to-face interviews of 92 exporters and non-exporters to estimate a logistic regression model of the firm’s export behavior. The results revealed that firm size, is the most critical factor that determines export performance. This result resonates with some aspects of existent literature while not finding resonance with others. The context specific nature of this result is what makes it novel

EXPORT INITIATION IN SMALL LOCALLY-OWNED FIRMS FROM EMERGING ECONOMIES: THE ROLE OF PERSONAL FACTORS

This paper examines the impact of personal factors in the decision of small, locally-owned firms from an emerging economy to enter into exporting. It drew on the logistic regression model to analyze the probability of a firm entering into exporting given its founder/owner possesses certain personal attributes. The results reveal personal attributes such as international job experience and foreign travel experience are the most critical in determining whether or not the firm exports. These results demonstrate demographic factors such as age and education level of the owner are less important and behavioral factors are more significant. Public policymakers interested in getting more firms to export can use these results as a guide to develop training centers that will encourage specific entrepreneurial behaviors germane to export initiation in small firms.Emerging economy, export initiation, small, locally-owned firms, personal factors

Benchmarking for International Competitiveness: Lessons for Public Policy

This paper presents the findings from a benchmarking study of Jamaica's competitiveness position viz-a-viz other similar small economies in the Caribbean. Using the Dual Double Diamond model and the Rank Xerox Benchmarking methodology as its guiding frameworks, the paper analyzed Jamaica's international competitiveness position in relation to Singapore, the most competitive small, open economy in the world. Comparisons were also made with three other small, open economies in the Caribbean and Central America, namely Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Costa Rica. The findings revealed that Jamaica's weak competitiveness position relative to its benchmark country, Singapore, results from a number of factors, including but not limited to an unstable macro-economic environment, weak institutions, distrust for public officials, and poor factor conditions. These competitiveness drivers were present in Singapore in a positive way, thus leading to the economy being able to upgrade its diamond of national competitiveness. The lessons learned from the Singaporean story have implications for Jamaica and other similar small, open economies that are experiencing a decline in their levels of international competitiveness

Evaluación comparativa para la competitividad internacional: Lecciones para la política pública

This paper presents the findings from a benchmarking study of Jamaica’s competitiveness position viz-a-viz other similar small economies in the Caribbean. Using the Dual Double Diamond model and the Rank Xerox Benchmarking methodology as its guiding frameworks, the paper analyzed Jamaica’s international competitiveness position in relation to Singapore, the most competitive small, open economy in the world.Comparisons were also made with three other small, open economies in the Caribbean and Central America, namely Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Costa Rica. The findings revealed that Jamaica’s weak competitiveness position relative to its benchmark country, Singapore, results from a number of factors, including but not limited to an unstable macro-economic environment, weak institutions, distrust for public officials, and poor factor conditions. These competitiveness drivers were present in Singapore in a positive way, thus leading to the economy being able to upgrade its diamond of national competitiveness. The lessons learned from the Singaporean story have implications for Jamaica and other similar small, open economies that are experiencing a decline in their levels of international competitiveness.Este artículo presenta los resultados de un estudio de “benchmarking” sobre la posición de competitividad de Jamaica en relación con otras economías pequeñas similares en el Caribe. Enmarcado en el modelo “Dual Double Diamond” y la metodología de “Rank Xerox Benchmarking”, el trabajo analiza la posición competitiva de Jamaica a nivel internacional con Singapur, la economía pequeña abierta más competitiva en el mundo. También se compara la relación con tres economías en el Caribe y la América Central: Barbados, Trinidad y Tobago y Costa Rica. Los resultados revelaron la débil posición de Jamaica relativa a Singapur, el país “benchmark”. Algunos factores que inciden en estos resultados son un ambiente macroeconómico inestable, instituciones débiles, desconfianza hacia los funcionarios públicos y condiciones de los factores pobres. Estos conductores de la competitividad estaban presentes en Singapur de una manera positiva, lo que permitió a la economía mejorar su diamante de competitividad nacional. Las lecciones aprendidas de la historia de Singapur tienen implicaciones para Jamaica y otras economías pequeñas abiertas similares que están experimentando un declive en sus niveles de competitividad internacional

Export stimulation of micro- and small locally owned firms from emerging environments: New evidence

Micro- and small locally owned firms, Exporting, Export stimuli, Emerging environment,