The emergence process of an international network of SMEs and the evolution of the leader's role

摘要

This research focuses on the evolution of the leader's role in the emergence of an international network of SMEs. A longitudinal study was conducted among SMEs wishing to develop an international network in Tunisia. A number of SME managers among with some collaborators and partners involved in the project were interviewed. The study reveals the evolution of a leader's entrepreneurial competencies as this network evolves along several stages. Three key stages have been highlighted: identifying an opportunity for an international network driven by a visionary leader whose main characteristic is curiosity; assessing the opportunity, based on a consolidating leader whose main characteristic is leadership; and exploiting the opportunity, requiring a federating leader whose main characteristic is empathy. A process makes it possible to identify the evolution of competencies, highlighting 3 key characteristics: curiosity, leadership and empathy mobilized throughout the emergence of this network.