Internationalization Of Small And Medium Enterprises Research Articles

Navigating global horizons: a review of export promotion and foreign market entry strategies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

PurposeThis study aims to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on export promotion and foreign market entry strategies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis study incorporates systematic literature review by using bibliometric technique and content analysis of 195 scholarly papers published between 2000 and 2024 obtained from Scopus database, using the PRISMA principles and a methodological framework.FindingsThe use of quantitative analysis has shown dynamic patterns in publication trends, characterized by notable increases in recent years. These trends align with the changing dynamics of the global economy and shifting priorities in international commerce. The study reveals thematic frameworks using author collaboration analysis, word cloud visualizations and a thematic map, providing insights into a significant motor, niche and developing issues that shape the discussion on the international growth of SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsIt offers significant insights that can benefit academics, policymakers and practitioners who are interested in understanding and navigating the intricate terrain of export promotion and market access strategies specifically tailored for small firms.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first of a kind that presents a systematic examination of the existing body of knowledge on the internationalization of SMEs.

SMEs internationalization! Market intelligence and entrepreneurial orientation influence on international performance: a moderation model

PurposeDrawing on resource-orchestration theory (ROT), this study investigates the influence of market intelligence and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on international performance of born global (BG) small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets with the mediating role of global technological competence. Quality focus is used as a moderator between global technological competence and international performance.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through a survey, and PLS-SEM was employed for hypotheses testing with a sample of 256 BG SMEs.FindingsThe results showed that market intelligence, EO, global technological competence and quality focus positively relate to international performance. Moreover, market intelligence and EO are positively associated with global technological competence. Besides, global technological competence significantly mediates the relationship between market intelligence, EO and international performance. Finally, quality focus strengthens the positive relationship between global technological competence and international performance.Practical implicationsOur research demonstrates that if management utilizes or invests on market intelligence, EO, global technological competence and quality focus, then the BG SMEs will increase their international performance.Originality/valueThe paper contribution lies in its focus on exogenous constructs (i.e. market intelligence, EO, global technological competence and quality focus) to determine the international performance of born global SMEs in emerging markets.

Potential, Challenges and Prospects: Internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malang Raya

This research aims to investigate issues related to the phenomenon of internationalization of SMEs in Malang Raya, analyze the potential and challenges faced, and formulate future prospects. The method used in this research is qualitative phenomenology. The results of this research are that internationalization has become an important strategy for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in various parts of the world, including in Malang Raya. Malang Raya, with its rapidly growing economic potential and product diversity, offers great opportunities for SMEs to expand their market reach to an international level. However, to achieve success in internationalization, SMEs in Malang Raya are faced with various challenges, including capital issues, human resource management, technology and market access.
 

Digital resilience in the internationalization of small and medium companies: how does it work?

Purpose Digital technologies over time are becoming increasingly pervasive and relatively affordable, finding a large diffusion in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) also for internationalization purposes. However, less is known about the specific mechanisms by which this can be achieved. Specifically, we focus on how SMEs can face the international environment, leveraging digital technologies and thanks to their intellectual capital (IC).Design/methodology/approach We analyze the relationship between digital technologies and the internationalization of SMEs, exploring the mediating role of IC in its three dimensions: human, relational and innovation capital, and assessing the possible moderating effects posed by international institutional conditions, specifically the Sino-US trade frictions. The relationships are tested using a sample of companies listed on China’s A-share Growth Enterprise Market (GEM) from 2010 to 2021.Findings Digital technologies help to internationalize SMEs. However, this positive relationship is affected (mediated) by the presence of an already consolidated IC. In addition, the institutional conditions of the international market, such as the Sino-US trade friction, moderate the components of IC differently. Specifically, the overall mediating effect of human and relational capital is boosted, while this does not happen for innovation capital.Originality/value First, this study contributes to the literature on organizational resilience, especially digital resilience, confirming its validity in the context of internationalization and, in particular, those processes adopted by SMEs. Second, we clarify the mechanisms through which digital technologies exert their impact on the process of internationalization and in particular the prominent necessity of having IC. Third, our conclusions enrich the understanding of how IC components react to turbulence in international markets.

Digital Marketing for Internationalization in small and medium enterprises: A review

Purpose: Conduct a literature review on Digital Marketing in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the internationalization of companies to identify gaps in existing research. Methodology: Research documentary type, which consists of a scientific, systematic, and objective method of searching and collecting data, 41 articles related to Digital Marketing, SMEs, internationalization, obstacles, and alternatives to adopting an internationalization approach were reviewed. Results: The articles reviewed came from various countries, such as Colombia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Indonesia, Sweden, Italy, Bangladesh, India, among others. Digital Marketing, driven by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), can be carried out anywhere in the world at any time, which represents an advantage to transform business models and achieve the internationalization of SMEs. Implications: A gap in the literature was identified in relation to the lack of longitudinal studies in specific sectors that include SMEs in their dynamic and competitive environment. Value: The article offers an exhaustive review of the literature about digital marketing, ICT, internationalization, SMEs, and contributes to strengthening the knowledge of professionals, businessmen and students who are interested in the topics, to carry out future research.

Reconfiguring FDI dependency: SMEs as emerging stakeholders in an advanced peripheral export-led growth model

Political economy scholarship on Eastern European countries identifies their export-led growth models as dependent on foreign direct investors (FDI). This paper argues that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are another important cohort of exporters for at least some of these countries. We attribute the success of exporting SMEs to the rise of new technologies and production processes, which have allowed economic agents from peripheral countries to engage with global value chains and international business-to-business trade directly, rather than via FDI. We empirically draw on an in-depth case study of Serbia, combining macroeconomic analysis and 145 interviews with exporting SMEs. The country made a notable switch from consumption- to export-led growth in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, despite lagging in FDI attraction. To address this puzzle, we show that internationalization of SMEs became an additional driver of the country’s exports. Then examining how these exporters have internationalized, we find that firm co-location is not a main source of knowledge exchange for them. Instead, they emphasize the importance of drawing upon translocal sources of knowledge exchange for international competitiveness. Using SME owners’ networks abroad, immigration experiences, clients from online platforms, and contacts from outsourcing opportunities has provided them with the knowledge needed to become innovative, and to repurpose the old socialist industrial resources they had at their disposal. Since exporting SMEs and their multi-level agency is an empirically under-researched phenomenon in the region, future studies on peripheral export-led growth models should explore economic and political implications of this growth coalition further.

Internationalization of SMEs in a Developing Economy: Empirical Evidence from SMEs in the Western Province, Sri Lanka

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical to Sri Lanka’s economy, but their potential for internationalization remains underexplored. This study aims to identify the various antecedents of internationalization and the impact of identified antecedents on the internationalization of Sri Lankan SMEs. This study was conducted following a quantitative approach. Data were collected from 250 SMEs currently engaged in international business activities and located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to test the hypothesis after ensuring the reliability and validity of the measurement items. The results of this study found that marketing and networking capabilities, among others, significantly influence the internationalization of SMEs. In addition, the study discovered that human capital, managerial capabilities, innovation capabilities, marketing capabilities, networking capabilities, financial capabilities and technological capabilities jointly influence the internationalization of Sri Lankan SMEs. The results of this study provide better insights for managers and owners to capitalize more on marketing capabilities and networking capabilities to achieve synergies by collaborating with local and international partners. In addition, study results benefit policymakers in formulating better policies to support SMEs in finding new markets and making information available about foreign markets to better develop their marketing and networking strategies.

Internationalization of SMEs: SLR (Systematic Literature Review)

This article aims to provide a systematic review of the literature on the current state of research on highly diverse and collaborative and internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We analyze the processes that affect the internationalization of SMEs. Additionally, highlighting the limitations of the literature, especially in terms of theoretical fragmentation; existing theories are deployed and illustrated but are rarely extended in a way that significantly informs subsequent work. With this, we highlight the need for a more rigorous and empirically informed exploration of contextual effects that considers the consequences of development in global economic ecosystems. From the results of a review of several literatures, it shows that there is an internationalization theory that tries to analyze, process, and produce results. Because in the era of globalization, small and medium companies see internationalization activities as a great opportunity to progress and develop.

Women entrepreneurship in the internationalization of SMEs: a bibliometric analysis for future research directions

PurposeThis study aims to systematically review papers on women’s entrepreneurship in the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by examining the research profile (i.e. publication trends, publishers, domain and quality of journals, methodologies and units of analysis and regional classifications), internationalization entry modes and the theories underpinning, key variables using AMO framework (i.e. antecedents, mediators, moderators and outcomes) and suggestions for potential future studies.Design/methodology/approachThis study used bibliometric analysis by selecting 62 relevant papers from 3,016 papers collected from the Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and EBSCO databases. Content analysis was conducted to identify key research issues and gaps, which were then mapped on an AMO framework to address potential future research.FindingsThis study found that the number of papers published during the period 1994–September 2022 fluctuated, indicating an increasing trend of women’s entrepreneurship research in the internationalization of SMEs being published in various reputable journals by well-known publishers. This study also found several alternatives of internationalization entry modes, although export is still the most widely used alternative. Various theories that underlie this research include internationalization theory, resource-based theory, feminist theory and international entrepreneurship. This study proposes a future research framework on women’s entrepreneurship in the internationalization of SMEs: AMO.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the intersection of gender-focused international business and entrepreneurship domains. This study proposes a conceptual model of women’s entrepreneurship in internationalization of SMEs by mapping the antecedents, mediators/moderators and outcomes and offers promising opportunities for future research directions.

On stochastic aspects of impact modeling of the innovation incentive system and business internationalization: evidence from Portuguese SMEs

Multivariate normal distribution is base for many statistical techniques, including ordinary least square inference. Here we show that in order to make research on Internationalization of Companies, more flexible approach is needed, namely partial least squares (PLS). It is a nonparametric technique, used in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which makes no distributional assumptions and also may be applied with small sample sizes. In this study we discuss on regularity conditions for PLS from the perspective of semi-continuous covariance which fills the gap in the current studies. The stochastic aspects, especially those related to usage of PLS-SEM, can be well integrated to the topologically grounded regression, where jumps in the covariances can occur. The purpose of the research is to analyze and understand the impact of the Incentive System (IS) for Innovation, within the scope of the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN) 2014-2020, on the Internationalization of Portuguese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We study stochastic aspects of theoretical model which aggregates the variables Product Innovation, Marketing Innovation, Organizational Innovation and Working Conditions as determinants of Internationalization of Companies. Data were collected based on a quantitative methodology, through a self-completion questionnaire using the Likert psychometric scale, which registered 120 participants. Organizational Innovation (exogenous latent construct) and Product Innovation have shown a statistically significant indirect effect on the Internationalization of Companies (endogenous latent construct) through Marketing Innovation. The latter has a direct effect on the Internationalization (target construct). However, Working Conditions has the greatest impact on Internationalization, meaning that measures such as increasing wages, decreasing the use of temporary work and precarious work conversion into labor effective relations have a very relevant direct effect on the Internationalization of Portuguese SMEs.

TOPIC MODELING: THE USE OF MACHINE LEARNING AND REFERENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE AREA OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES)

The objective of this paper is to find new trends in the literature using machine learning and reference management systems within the theme of the Internationalization of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). With help of topic modeling software 857 articles on the topic "Internationalization of SMEs from 2012 to 2021 were analyzed and ranked (citation index) through Endnote® library management systems. The search was focused only on the fields of social science and management. 85 documents were shortlisted from the original cluster to proceed with the text mining. Results show promising areas of research within the Internationalization of SMEs. Stand-out topics include Resource-based Theory, Dynamics Capabilities, International Entrepreneurship, and Ambidexterity among others.
 Endnote® Subject Bibliography found the most popular words and topics in the original database. Results showed that using Endnote® and MALLET topic modeling tool it is possible to analyze large amounts of publications and find new trends within a specific field. However, MALLET software needs experts in the field to identify and translate results into meaningful ideas. Endnote® seems to have a higher level of sophistication and a better visual interface, but among the disadvantages are the price of the tool and that it works better with their libraries or partner journals.

Accelerated internationalization of SMEs and microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: towards an integrated conceptual framework

PurposeStriving for growth since their early stages, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting an entrepreneurial behavior based on a rapid and early international expansion. Although some extant research have been done on the dynamic capabilities of SMEs’ accelerated internationalization–born global (BG) SMEs, no study was, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, carried on the microfoundations underlying this phenomenon. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature and contribute to the growing theory development of SME’s microfoundations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes an integrated conceptual framework to better identify the microfoundations that influence born global SMEs internationalization by integrating individual, structural and processual – the microfoundations approach within the dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring.FindingsOur propositions argue that born global SMEs are characterized by dynamic capabilities based on a combination of some individual (manager’s human and social capital, such as its personal orientation, experiences, cognition and intuition), process (market learning, technology development) and structural (agility, communication/coordination) factors that helps a lot in the acceleration of the internationalization process.Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical study should be done to enrich the conceptual material.Practical implicationsTo identify some international opportunities, companies should rely on the entrepreneurial orientation of its managers, its experience and network as well as the market-related learning and technological processes. The managerial cognition is important to seize opportunities while the manager’s human capital is needed to reconfigure resources while internationalizing rapidly.Social implicationsThis research shows that individual attributes are important but insufficient to accelerate the internationalization process. Some individual characteristics are more useful in sensing international opportunities rapidly, such as manager’s international entrepreneurial, past experience and network, However, the managerial cognition is important to seize opportunities, whereas the manager’s human capital is needed to reconfigure resources while internationalizing rapidly.Originality/valueBorn global firms must develop several dynamic capabilities to foster their accelerated early international development. This paper gives insights about the individual, structural and processual of sensing international opportunities, seizing and reconfiguring resources and competencies for born globals.

Dual Embedding as EPO Strategy in Creatively Connecting Cultures to Support SME Internationalization

Although small and medium enterprises (SME) from one country have dependencies on state sponsored export promotion organizations (EPO) for internationalization, EPOs are limited by bureaucracy and protocols to offer adequate support beyond a few generalized ones. Extant research on EPOs contribution in SME internationalization remains inconclusive. We examine how an EPO can identify and address performance challenges through a longitudinal study of the French Embassy’s Trade Mission in Kazakhstan. Our analysis reveals how the French EPO navigated the challenge of cultural distance and structural rigidity through a strategy process of organizational transformation with dual embedding, negotiated reformulating and creative combining as constituents. The recursive process led to refining services toward improved SME internationalization. Our study extends EPO research to corporate entrepreneurship and strategy process.

Institutional and organizational capabilities as drivers of internationalisation: Evidence from emerging economy SMEs

Internationalisation, the notion of cross border business, has become one of the key strategies for growth for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries in recent years. Although many SMEs have used internationalisation strategies, there remains a gap of understanding the relative importance of factors influencing SMEs internationalisation particularly from developing countries perspectives. Drawing on the Resource Based View of the firm (RBV) theory, this research develops and validates the dimensions and sub-dimensions of the drivers of internationalisation. The study further identifies the relative importance of these dimensions from a developing country context. The study used a questionnaire survey to collect primary data from 212 Bangladeshi SMEs based on area wise cluster sampling. This study used partial least square based structural model (PLS-SEM) to assess the key drivers for foreign market entry by developing country SMEs. The findings confirm that the drivers of internationalisation represent a hierarchical construct consisting of three primary and eight sub-dimensions. The study suggests that SME internationalisation in a developing country is contingent upon two categories of capabilities: critical organisational capabilities or resources (linked to internal processes largely associated with human resources) and critical institutional capabilities (associated with state level provision and the cultural fabric).

The Internationalization of SMEs: Motives and Barriers

This study answers questions about the motives and barriers to the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A literature review was conducted to identify relevant research findings on the motives and barriers to the internationalization of SMEs. The finding of the study is consistent with the Resource-Sector Model of SME Internationalization, that the internationalization motives of SMEs are classified into internal motives, namely increasing profits, availability of resources, creating market power, and business growth. While external motives are limited domestic market, competition, and proximity to customers and suppliers. In addition, the study shows that resource strength and owner-manager competence are the driving factors for the internationalization of SMEs. SMEs entering the international market will face internal barriers: human resources, product quality, and financial resources, and external barriers: business environment, government barriers, and socio-cultural barriers. This study contributes to providing new insights into consideration of opportunities and threats for the internationalization of SMEs.

Do Psychic Distance, International Experience and Risk-Taking Ability Matter for Indonesian SMEs in the Distant Market?

The discussion of internationalization small and medium enterprises (SMEs) internationalization is salient in international business literature. In entering and performing in distant international markets, SMEs face more significant challenges than larger firms. This research aims to analyze the effects of psychic distance, international experience, and risk-taking ability among Indonesian SMEs internationalization in a distant market. This research was carried out with a survey involving 76 SMEs in Indonesia, and then the data were analyzed using multiple regression. The result shows that although the regression model is a good fit for the data, only international experience has a significant effect. This paper contributes by providing empirical evidence of (a) factors affecting the internationalization of SMEs of an emerging market in a distant market and (b) the role of psychic distance on internationalization in the context of SMEs.

FIRM RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMES FROM EMERGING COUNTRIES: A MULTIMETHOD STUDY

ABSTRACT Purpose: This article investigates and classifies firm resources for the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from emerging countries. Originality/value: SMEs from emerging countries in global markets evidence their more restricted access to resources for internationalization. The mainstream international business literature classifies firm’s resources identified in large companies from developed economies. This research classifies firms’ internationalization resources located in different emerging countries based on a systematic literature review (SLR) and interviews. This paper contributes to the theoretical development about the internationalization of SMEs from emerging countries, indicating the importance of organizational resources in this process. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents an exploratory research developed in two stages: a SLR on emerging countries and interviews with experts, institutions, and SMEs about the Brazilian context. Bibliographic research and an interview with semi-structured script were adopted as data collection techniques. Interviews were analyzed with NVivo software using content analysis technique and providing categorization of resources. Findings: Up to 2016, 15 works mentioned resources for the internationalization of SMEs from emerging countries and seven were done in Asia. We identified 72 resources in ten emerging countries. Organizational resources predominate. The use of financial resources in Brazil contradicts the trend in other emerging countries. More tangible resources seem less strategic for SMEs’ internationalization from emerging countries when compared to more intangible resources, as organizational ones.

The Role of Internationalization Orientation in Mediating the Relationship between Capabilities and Intention to Export: An Empirical Analysis on SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a strategic role in the Indonesia's economy; however, they have a low contribution on the national export. Studying on SMEs internationalization becomes important to understand factors that influence them to go international. Using resource-based view perspective, the objective of study is to investigate how the organizational capabilities influence the intention of SMEs to export through internationalization orientation. A model was developed that explained the impact of personnel management, product development, and production capabilities on internationalization orientation, and eventually affect the export intention. Primary data were collected through a field survey by distributing structured questionnaires to SMEs over three months, resulting 86 eligible responses. These empirical data were analyzed to validate proposed model using partial least square - structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that internationalization orientation mediated partially the effect of personnel management and product development capabilities on SMEs intention to export. The other finding displayed the unexpected result that there was insignificant influence of production capabilities on internationalization orientation and export intention. This study suggests that to increase the intention of SEMs to export, the firms must have capabilities in managing their personnel and developing unique and innovative product consistently.

Internationalisation of rural small‐and‐medium enterprises from Nigeria: Examining social and organisational impact

AbstractDrawing on behavioural theory of the firm, this study examines internationalisation of rural small‐and‐medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and its impacts on social and organisational development. To examine how SME internationalisation affects societal and organisational development, the study collects cross‐sectional data using a structured questionnaire from 304 rural SMEs drawn from several sectors in Nigeria. Applying a partial least square based structural equation modelling, we tested the social and organisational impact of rural SMEs internationalisation. The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between societal and organisational performances and internationalisation of SMEs. Both scores were significantly positively correlated with the internationalisation of SMEs in rural Nigeria. The study argues that internationalisation of rural SMEs' reflects on organisational progress and societal progress in terms of improving rural people's life. The findings of the study will act as the reference point to academicians and policymakers by which they could assess how internationalisation of rural SMEs matters for rural people's life and can strive to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Examining the Contribution of Deliberative and Implemental Mindsets to SME Internationalization

The purpose of this study was to establish the contribution of deliberative mindset and implemental mindset to SME (small and medium enterprises) internationalization. This study employed cross-sectional and correlational research designs. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of exporting SME owners and managers. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and SmartPLS. Results suggest that implemental mindset significantly contributes to variances in SME internationalization unlike deliberative mindset. The findings in this study imply that increased levels of internationalization among SMEs in a developing country like Uganda can be achieved by those managers and owners who possess an implemental mindset. This study provides initial empirical evidence of the contribution of deliberative and implemental mindsets to SME internationalization using evidence from Uganda – a developing country.