CHALLENGES OF UK SMEs EXPORTING TO THE EUROPEAN MARKETS IN THE POST-BREXIT PERIOD: INSIGHTS FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING AND FOOD PRODUCTION SECTORS
Author
Hrtan, Daniel
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2021
Abstract
This thesis examines how post‑Brexit trading arrangements, including the EU‑UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, affect UK small and medium‑sized enterprises exporting to the EU, with a focus on automotive manufacturing and food production. Using semi‑structured interviews with export managers from randomly selected UK SMEs and a thematic analysis in NVivo, the study identifies new and intensified export barriers: extensive documentation demands such as rules of origin and certification, country‑ and product‑specific requirements, and disrupted logistics with reduced service offerings and higher prices. These challenges raise costs, strain relationships with existing EU customers, and complicate business development. In response, SMEs reassess internationalisation strategies, weighing alternative entry modes within the EU against diversification toward non‑EU markets, with some already shifting activity toward the Middle East and Asia. The findings are specific to the UK and the two sectors studied and reflect an evolving policy context in which Brexit‑related rules may continue to change.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan handelsvilkårene efter Brexit, herunder EU‑UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, påvirker britiske små og mellemstore virksomheder, der eksporterer til EU, med fokus på bilproduktion og fødevareproduktion. Gennem semistrukturerede interviews med eksportchefer i tilfældigt udvalgte britiske SMV'er og tematisk analyse i NVivo identificeres nye og forstærkede eksportbarrierer: omfattende dokumentationskrav såsom oprindelsesregler og certificering, landespecifikke og produktspecifikke krav samt udfordrede logistikløsninger med færre ydelser og højere priser. Disse barrierer øger omkostningerne, belaster relationer til eksisterende EU‑kunder og komplicerer forretningsudvikling. Som svar revurderer SMV'er deres internationaliseringsstrategier, balancerer mellem alternative markedsindtrængningsformer i EU og diversificering mod markeder uden for EU, hvor nogle allerede har drejet sig mod Mellemøsten og Asien. Resultaterne er kontekstbundne til Storbritannien og de to sektorer og afspejler en dynamisk politisk situation, hvor Brexit‑regler fortsat kan ændre sig.
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