Differences between Small and Medium Sized Exporting and Non-exporting Firms: Nature or Nurture.

Singapore is a country highly dependent on external trade. In 1985, total export was 1.26 times that of the gross national product. However, the census of manufacturing firms reported that wholly local-owned manufacturers (primarily dominated by small and medium sized firms) accounted for only 11 per cent of the direct export. This article therefore attempts to profile the differences between exporting and non-exporting firms among the smaller manufacturers and to determine if nature or nurture contributes to greater export involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]