Title: An analysis on internationalisation barriers of Indian apparel SMEs in the post-MFA period - a modelling approach

Authors: V.G. Venkatesh; Rameshwar Dubey; Sonali Bhattacharya

Addresses: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Symbiosis International University, Bengaluru Campus, #95/1, 95/2, Electronics City, Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560-100, Karnataka, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Symbiosis International University, Nashik Campus, Plot No.A-23, Shravan Sector, New Cidco, Nasik 422008, Maharashtra, India ' Symbiosis Center for Management and Human Resource Development, Symbiosis International University, Symbiosis Infotech Campus, Plot No. 15, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, MIDC, Hinjewadi, Pune – 411057, India

Abstract: India is traditionally identified as a manufacturing hub. It is well known for its heritage and skill sets in its textile business. The phase out of multi-fibre agreement (MFA) has impacted a dynamic turn over in the market with tough competitions from other hubs. The players are having barriers to sustain and project as a potential hub. The paper tries to establish the contextual relationship among the various barrier points in the expansion of garment manufacturing SMEs in the global arena. Factors are modelled with the technique called interpretive structural modelling (ISM) by incorporating qualitative judgments from the views of Indian manufacturers, who are the suppliers to leading global brands. The aim of this paper is to categorise and analyse the dependence power as well as driving power of those barriers using MICMAC analysis and to give a different dimension to the post-MFA impact research on the Indian apparel SME domain.

Keywords: internationalisation barriers; apparel industry; garment industry; clothing industry; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; India; post-MFA; multi-fibre agreement; quota regime; SME strategy; interpretive structural modelling; ISM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2015.068641

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2015 Vol.14 No.3, pp.351 - 381

Received: 05 Mar 2014
Accepted: 15 Sep 2014

Published online: 07 Apr 2015 *

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