Abstract
Export opportunities have been prioritised by South African Trade and Industry in order to promote economic growth. The company used in this study (hereafter referred to as The Company) is well-known in the hardwood industry in South Africa, and indicated its strategic intent to pursue export opportunities in European countries. However, such export opportunities should be carefully considered taking into account more than just a country’s identified need for hardwood. Entering a global market competitively, whilst ensuring profitability and sustainability of the organisation, requires a clear understanding of all factors impacting on such a strategic endeavour. This is critical as the expansion of the business will in all probability take place in already existing and sometimes firmly established hardwood manufacturing markets, which implies that the execution of any strategic intent in this regard will have to aim at, among others, market growth. Optimising global market opportunities and ensuring appropriate responsiveness to its dynamic and competitive nature, guidance and support of strategic decision making and concomitant decision support models (DSM) seem to be inevitable...
Ph.D. (Business Management)