Success criteria of SMMEs for

Many SMME in South Africa have attempted to enter exporting, often with verybad experiences and losses. This is not consistent with the experiences ofsimilar small firms in first world countries. Given that South African SMME mayfind great difficult competing in first world markets without prior exportingexperience. This research seeks to fill a gap in the literature by looking if thereare issues that may be particular to South African firms looking to export inAfrica. In particular what could be the key criteria small firms lacking in financesand management resources can concentrate upon to try ensure success?The researcher was seeking a wide view of the exporting industry and soughtout a group of experts to gain insight to the possible key success criteria. Aphenomenological approach using an unstructured interview was done withthese experts to gain insight of both successful and unsuccessful exportventures. In particular what these experts have advised smaller firms on andwhere the firms have succeeded.There was convergence from the respondents that the networks or relationshipsof an exporting SMME are of key importance. This is largely due to the natureof complexities of exporting and the diversity of requirements in multiplejurisdictions. As there can be no certainty all problems have been provided forby the exporter working alone, the exporter and importer are dependent uponeach other and their business partners to ensure mutually beneficialtransactions