Internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Firms: Does Network Involvement Matter Cross-Nationally?

摘要

Network connections appear particularly essential to the launch, survival, and success of SMEs' international ventures (Coviello 2006; Ellis 2011). Market knowledge obtained from business and social networks also enables small firms to enter new markets or engage in more rapid internationalization (Coviello 2006; Ellis 2011). Moreover, social networks enhance the performance of firms that internationalize (Zhou et al. 2007) and influence their internationalization, market selection, and entry modes (Freeman et al. 2006). We add to the growing importance of networks and internationalization by pursuing the following research questions: 1. To what extent does SMEs' involvement in networks, along with other antecedents, contribute to their internationalization? 2. Do the impacts of network involvement differ between emerging markets with known importance given to such connections (e.g., guanxi in China and svayzi in Russia) and a developed country such as the U.S.A.?