Open this publication in new window or tab >>2004 (English)In: Canadian Journal of the Administrative Sciences, ISSN 0825-0383, E-ISSN 1936-4490, Vol. 21, no 1, p. 22-34Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
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.
Keywords
Studies, Exports, Manufacturing, Small business, Statistical analysis, Business studies
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-18480 (URN)10.1111/j.1936-4490.2004.tb00320.x (DOI)
2012-06-152012-06-152017-12-07Bibliographically approved