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