Title: Mexican entrepreneurial responses to economic liberalisation: an exploratory study

Authors: Catherine Leroy-Beltran, Jerry Haar, Oscar A. Beltran

Addresses: Tec de Monterrey, Calle del Puente, No. 222, Mexico, D.F. 14380, Mexico. ' Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA. ' Tec de Monterrey, Calle del Puente, No. 222, Mexico, D.F. 14380, Mexico

Abstract: The exploratory study examines the responses of Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to economic liberalisation. Two winning sectors for Mexico under NAFTA – apparel and plastics – and two losing sectors – textiles and printing/media – are analysed to determine the extent to which external factors and firm-level behaviour affect competitiveness. Findings reveal that regardless of the sector (winner or loser), macroeconomic policy choices, or NAFTA|s provisions, it is the management of the firm (including vision, leadership, entrepreneurial attitude and behaviour, and decisions related to finance, marketing, production, and the deployment of human capital) that is by far the most important determinant of success.

Keywords: Mexico; trade; entrepreneurship; NAFTA; SMEs; economic liberalisation; management; apparel industry; clothing industry; garment industry; plastics industry; textile industry; printing industry; media; competitiveness; North American Free Trade Agreement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2005.007084

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2005 Vol.2 No.4, pp.331 - 345

Published online: 24 May 2005 *

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