Internationalization of Small Firms: An Examination of Export Competitive Patterns, Firm Size, And Export Performance

摘要

Analysis of data taken from 157 small firms actively exporting to markets out- side the U.S. revealed that small firms differ among themselves with respect to the competitive pattern used in their export activities. Larger (small) firms exhibit competitive patterns consistent with their size-related resource base. However, smaller (small) firms did not Exhibit competitive patterns that could Be viewed as consistent with their size- Related resource base. In addition, no Significant difference in export intensity Across three size categories was found. The implications of these findings with Respect to the explanatory power of the Stage theory of international develop- Ment and the resource-based theory of The firm are discussed.