Export characteristics of Irish manufacturing enterprises

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the export characteristics of enterprises, using the manufacturing sector of Ireland between 1991 and 1998 as a case study. The growth of Irish merchandise exports is considered to be a major factor contributing to Ireland's remarkable economic performance during the 1990s. However, aggregate trade data reveals that most of the increase in manufactured exports in this period was due to the presence of export-orientated foreign-owned enterprises in Irish manufacturing. Moreover, the export propensity of indigenous-owned enterprises remained relatively constant during the 1990s, creating doubt about the international competitiveness of indigenous enterprises.