Comparative performance of small manufacturing companies in South Wales and Northern Ireland

This paper compares specific dimensions of the performance and characteristics of a matched sample of small manufacturing firms in South Wales and Northern Ireland. The analysis examines comparative growth rates, markets, price and non-price competitiveness, premises, machinery, labour and productivity. Northern Irish firms grew more slowly in comparison with their Welsh counterparts. The slower growth could not be traced to comparative Irish disadvantages arising from differences in cost or availability of capital equipment or designated labour force skills or premises, but to differences in the competitiveness of Northern Irish firms arising from the inferior quality of products produced. That Irish deficiency is discussed in the light of differences found in labour force quality between firms in the two regions. © 1988.