The Market Shares of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Taiwan Manufacturing

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have played an important role in many countries’ industrial development. Among these countries, Taiwan is well known for the outstanding performance of its SMEs. Limited knowledge about the causes of such performance has been revealed gradually. The main purpose of this study is to explore the determinants of SMEs’ market shares in Taiwan’s manufacturing sector. According to economics literature, economies of scale determine the market share of SMEs. The usual explanation given is that economies of scale create barriers against SMEs entering the market and competing efficiently with larger firms. It is also said that the strong entrepreneurial drive to have a self-owned business is a crucial explanation for the creation of new businesses, usually as offshoots from a small one. Finally, such factors such as an even-handed policy scheme, the availability of technology in relation to R&D, transaction costs, and so forth, are also important for creating a favourable environment for SMEs. Applying cross-industry pooling data from 1976 to 1986, the market shares of SMEs in Taiwan’s manufacturing sector were found to be affected by the following factors: (1) SMEs’ performance related to labour productivity and their willingness to set up new enterprises; (2) institutional factors including low entry barriers, suitable technology, the adoption of a subcontract system, and prosperous export markets. The empirical findings are compared with those from studies of the US and Germany.     

The Market Shares of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Taiwan Manufacturing*

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SEM s) have played an important role in many countries’industrial development. Among these countries, Taiwan is well known for the outstanding performance of its SME s. Limited knowledge about the causes of such performance has been revealed gradually. The main purpose of this study is to explore the determinants of SME s’market shares in Taiwan's manufacturing sector. According to economics literature, economies of scale determine the market share of SME s. The usual explanation given is that economies of scale create barriers against SME s entering the market and competing efficiently with larger firms. It is also said that the strong entrepreneurial drive to have a self-owned business is a crucial explanation for the creation of new businesses, usually as offshoots from a small one. Finally, such factors such as an even-handed policy scheme, the availability of technology in relation to R&D, transaction costs, and so forth, are also important for creating a favourable environment for SME s. Applying cross-industry pooling data from 1976 to 1986, the market shares of SME s in Taiwan's manufacturing sector were found to be affected by the following factors: (1) SME s’performance related to labour productivity and their willingness to set up new enterprises; (2) institutional factors including low entry barriers, suitable technology, the adoption of a subcontract system, and prosperous export markets. The empirical findings are compared with those from studies of the US and Germany.     

The Changing Competitiveness of Taiwan's Manufacturing SMEs

Taiwan's manufacturing SMEs have played an important role in promoting trade, creating jobs, and developing certain industries. Yet, they might not have performed uniformly over time, nor always looked alike. This paper explores the changing position and the source of changes of Taiwan's SMEs during the last three decades. We have found, first, that the industrial development in the 1960s was attributable more to larger firms than SMEs. It was in the 1970s and after that SMEs gained competitiveness consistently. Second, among SMEs, the smallest firms employing fewer than 10 persons became progressively less important in Taiwan's manufacturing sector until the last sub-period between 1986 and 1991. Medium-sized firms, employing 10 to 99 persons, performed very well over time. As the survival principle suggests, keen competition assures efficiency among SMEs. Then, a quick response to market signals is also vital for survival. An industrial policy not against SMEs may be the best that SMEs can expect. A stable macroeconomic environment combined with an open market having low entry barriers and low transaction costs provides the best opportunity for SMEs to grow. The Changing Competitiveness of Taiwan's Manufacturing SMEs to grow.     

The Determinants of SMEs' Market Share in 1991 – Taiwan Manufacturers

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have become increasingly popular in recent decades, having caused concern among scholars of various areas. Our line of research focuses on the determinants of SMEs' market share. This study explores the topic base on Taiwan's manufacturers' data collected in 1991. Our empirical results indicate that Taiwan has witnessed SMEs becoming prosperous in manufacturing industries with higher relative labor productivity, low entry barriers, prosperous subcontracting activities, and young ages. Our results indicate that, in the transitory process of industrial development, Taiwan's SMEs no longer can afford high wage payments when at the same time the quality of labor does not increase accordingly. As Taiwan approaches the status of a developed economy, the beneficiaries of export activities have changed. Unlike 1986, in 1991 there was a smaller share of SMEs in Taiwan's export oriented industries. Furthermore, SMEs benefited from their efforts to increase their automation status. The emphasis on issues concerning environmental protection proved to be another source of entry barrier that kept SMEs from prospering. Certain similarities arise when comparing our conclusions with those of the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan, all of whom represent industrialized countries. We can conclude that as Taiwan matures in her industrial development process, SMEs also struggle to a certain maturity in theirs.     

Many small antelopes make a dragon

This study focuses on small business in Taiwan. It first discusses the most important features that modern small firms provide, how they are involved in the growing integrated world economy, and the recent rising trends in the number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This trend, which follows an earlier decrease is further investigated in the context of the Taiwan economy. Finally, three conditions of Taiwan’s successful small firm sector are discussed: appropriate policy, global involvement, and entrepreneurship. Alternative small business futures depend on the conditions that encourage the development of SMEs. In one scenario, where SMEs can find the niche markets quickly, and enhance their expertise in logistics, a rise in SMEs in the global market may be expected. In another scenario, if SMEs fail in forming alliances and networks when confronting with giant firms or large Foreign Direct Investment, there might be a reduction in enterprising behavior. Judging from the former performance of Taiwan’s SMEs, it can be concluded that there is a good chance that SMEs will remain a vibrant and important participant of its economy and the world economy in the future.