INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMALL-MEDIUM SIZED FIRMS

This article examines the internationalization process of small firms in order to find the factors that affect of the internationalization of small fırms. The stages are Stages, Upsala and new venture model. A review of literatüre shows that most of the research focused on the internationalization of large fırms and the stııdy on small fırms is limited Small fırms have been becoming more important today, cheaper transportation and lower communication costs encourage them to go international. As the internal variables, to the manager’s expectation concerning profitability, technological advantages of the firms, marketing research, the existence of the export policy and export planniııg are important factors affecting the internationalization of firms. Many studies showed that small-sized firms could be just as successful as larger firms in terms of export intensity (export sales/total sales).

Anahtar Kelimeler:

internationalization, Small-medium sized fırms

PDF

___

[1] OECD. (1997). Globalization and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Vol. 1 Synthesis Report.
[2] Luostarinen, R. & Welch, L. (1990). International Business Operations. Helsinki: KY Book Store.
[3] Beamish, P.W. (1990). The Internationalization Process for Smaller Ontario Firms: A Research Agenda. (Ed. Rugman, A.M.). Research in Global Strategic Management - International Business Research for the Twenty-First Century: Canada's New Research Agenda. Greenwich: JAI Press Inc. 77-92.
[4] Melin, L. (1992). intemationalization As a Strategy Process. Strategic Management Journal, 13, 99-118.
[5] Johanson, J. & Wiedersheim-Paul, F. (2001). The intemationalization of The Firm-Four Swedish Cases. Journal of Management Studies, 12(3), 305-322.
[6] Chiara, A. & Minguzzi, A. (2002). Success Factors In SMEs’ intemationalization Process: An Italian Investigation. Journal of Small Business Management, 40(2), 144-153.
[7] Johanson, J & Vahine, J.E. (1977). The internationalization Process of the Firm-a model of knowledge development and increasing foreign market commitment. Journal of International Business, 8(1), 23-32.
[8] Johanson, J. & Vahine, J.E. (1990). The Mechanism of internationalization. International Marketing Review, 7(4), 11-24.
[9] Laine, A. & Kock, S. A Process Model of Internationalization-New Times Demands New Patterns. http://www.bath.ac.uk/imp/pdf/l 12 LaineKock.pdf). [12.02.2004].
[10] Pedersen, T. (1990). The internationalization Process of Danish Firms-Gradual Learning or Discrete Rational choices? Department of International Economics and Management Copenhagen Business School.
[11] Eriksson, K.; Majkgard, A. & Sharma, D.D. (2000). Path Dependence and Knowledge Development in the Internationalization Process. Management International Review, 40, 307-328.
[12] Clercq, D.; Sapienza, H.J. & Crijns, H. (2003). The internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Firms: The Role of Organizational Learning Effort and Entrepreneurial Orientation. Working Paper.
[13] Johanson, J. & Vahine, J.E. (2003). Business Relationship Learning and Commitment in the Internationalization Process. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 1, 83- 101.
[14] Bilkey, W.J. & Tesar, G. (2001). The Export Behavior of Smaller-Sized Wisconsin Manufacturing Firms. Journal of International Business Studies, 3, 93-98.
[15] Çavuşgil, S.T. (1980). On The internationalization Process of Firms. European Research, 8, 273-281.
[16] Çavuşgil, S.T. (1984). Differences Among Exporting Firms Based on Their Degree of internationalization. Journal of Business Research, 12, 195-208.
[17] Moini, A.H. (1995). An Inquiry Into Successful Exporting: An Empirical Investigation Using a Three-Stage Model. Journal of Small Business Management, 33(3), 9-25.
[18] Calof, J.L. & Viviers, W. (1995). internationalization Behavior of Small- and Medium-Sized South African Enterprises. Journal of Small Business Management, 33(4), 71-79.
[19] Gankema, H.G.J.; Snuif, H.R & Zwart, P.S. (2000). The Internationalization Process of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: An Evaluation of Stage Theory. Journal of Small Business Management, 38(4), 15-27.
[20] Oviatt, B. & McDougall, P.P. (1994). Toward a Theory of International New Ventures. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(1), 45-64.
[21] Knight, G.A. & Çavuşgil, S.T. (1996). The Bom Global Firm: A Challenge to Traditional Intemationalization Theory. Advances in International Marketing, 8, 11-26.
[22] Çavuşgil, S.T. (1994). A Quiet Revolution in Australian Exporters. Marketing News, 28( 11), 18-21.
[23] Moen, 0. (2002). The Bom Globals- A New Generation of Small European Exporters. International Marketing Review, 19(2/3), 156-175.
[24] Kirpalani, V.H. & Macintosh, N.B. (1980). International Marketing Effectiveness of Technology-Oriented Small Firms. Journal of International Business Studies, Winter, 91-90.
[25] Madsen, T.K. (1988). Successful Export Marketing Management: Some Empirical Evidence. International Marketing Review, 6, 41-57.
[26] Aaby, N.E. & Slater, S.E., (1989). Management Influences on Export Performance: A Review of the Empirical Literatüre. International Marketing Review, 6(4), 7-26.
[27] Bijmolt, T.H.A. & Zwart, P.S. (1994). The Impact of Internal Factors on the Export Success of Dutch small and Medium-Sized Firms. Journal of Small Business Management, 32(2), 69-83.
[28] Sriram, V. & Sapienza, H.J. (1991). An Empirical Investigation of the Role of Marketing for Small Exporters. Journal of Small Business Management, 29(4), 33-43.
[29] CALOF, J.L. (1993). The Impact of Size on Internationalization. Journal of Small Business Management, 31(4), 60-69.
[30] Ogbuehi, A.O. & Longfellow, T.A. (1994). Perceptions of U.S. Manufacturing SMEs Concerning Exporting: A Comparison Based on Export Experience. Journal of Small Business Management, 32(4), 37-47.
[31] Gartner, W.B. & Bhat, S. (2000). Environmental and Ovvnership Characteristics of Small Businesses and Their Impact on Development. Journal of Small Business Management, 38(3), 250-266.
[32] Wolff, J.A. & Pett, T.L. (2000). Internationalization of Small Firms: An Examination of Export Competitive Patterns, Firm Size and Export Performance. Journal of Small Business Management, 38(2), 34-47.
[33] Ellis, P.& Pecotich, A. (2001). Social Factors Influencing Export Initiation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Journal of Marketing Research, 38, 119-130.
[34] Brasseur, R.; Zanibbi, L. & Zinger, T.J. (2003). Growth Momentum in the Early Stages of Small Business Startups. International Small Business Journal, 21(3), 315-330.
[35] Kirby, D.A. & Kaiser, S. (2003). Joint Ventures as an Internationalisation Strategy for SMEs, Small Business Economics, 21,229-242.