Small firms in the East Midlands knitted outerwear industry: export activity, potential and constraints

This research is an account of an exploratory study into the export performance of small, independent companies operating in the East Midlands engaged in the manufacture of knitted outerwear. Small firms constitute approximately 85% of the total number of enterprises in the knitting industry and the knitted outerwear sector is the largest part of the industry. In view of the importance attached to exporting by the Knitting Industry Sector Working Party the study attempts to evaluate the export performance; its determinants; and the constraints on the small independent firms raising their present level of exports. [Continues.]