Competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the northern rural areas under the globalization in Vietnam

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the northern rural areas of Vietnam where globalization process recently has resulted in rapid increase of product movement, capital and labor. The research methodology focuses on evaluation of enterprise’s assets, competitiveness enhancement procedure, and production and marketing achievement. Research results show that the competitiveness of enterprises in 2009 is very weak. Enterprises from Hanoi are less competitive than those from other provinces. Services enterprises are more competitive than the others according to business sector. In term of ownership, private enterprises, foreign invested enterprises and limited liability companies are more competitive than the business left. Technical capacity and economies of scale are two main problems of medium and small enterprises.