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International activities in small firms – examining factors influencing the internationalisation and export growth of SMEs

Author

  • Svante Andersson
  • Jonas Gabrielsson
  • Ingemar Wictor

Summary, in English

In this paper we explore internationalization and export growth over time in a sample of 135 small manufacturing firms. By using concepts and arguments from literature on international business and small firms, the paper identifies six situational, or contingency, factors that are expected to influence the international activities of small firms. Our results show that a dynamic and fast-changing environment may push small firms to go abroad, while it seems to be the experiences built up in the organization and a younger generation of CEOs that can explain why some small firms continue to expand their international activities. The findings suggest that the factors influencing small firms to go abroad and become international differ from the factors that influence them to continue and grow once they are on the international marketplace. The paper ends with a discussion of the findings, together with suggestions for further research.

Publishing year

2004

Language

English

Pages

22-34

Publication/Series

Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences

Volume

21

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Keywords

  • Manufacturing
  • Small business
  • Studies
  • Statistical analysis
  • Exports

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0825-0383