E-commerce and export markets: small furniture producers in South Africa

The objective of this paper is to provide a preliminary analytical foundation to help focus the policy debate. The discussion that follows is based on insights gleaned from an exploratory, qualitative survey, undertaken between January and March 2001, of SWFPs that currently are exporting. One hundred five exporting SWFPs listed in the South African Wooden Furniture Trade Directory (2000) were identified and a short questionnaire and cover letter were sent to each firm. Completed questionnaires were received from 64 firms (a response rate of 61 percent). In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 19 furniture industry experts drawn from academia; government; trade unions; employers' associations; the South African Furniture Export Council; and business, marketing, and information technology (IT) consultancies.