International Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (Routledge Studies in International Business and the World Economy)

The majority of SMEs are operating in a networked business environment, and these networks extend beyond national and cultural boundaries. Within these networks, growth takes various routes and forms. Instead of linear, positive growth, international growth is often more cyclical, including periods of stagnation and withdrawal, even exits. International Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises focuses on international growth, such as how companies expand their operations across national borders through opportunity exploration and exploitation, and identification and development of innovations, i.e. on international entrepreneurship. The book provides a comprehensive overview of international growth of small and medium-sized enterprises from diverse points of view. It verifies that SMEs in all parts of the globe share similar characteristics, but also differ significantly. New explanations emerge, such as ownership, steering of the company, or the negative consequences of international growth. It discusses how the changing external environment of SMEs pushes them to create innovative solutions in order to survive and succeed. This collection of new and international perspectives sheds much-needed light on how founders and management teams of SMEs can succeed in fostering the growth process, and what specific characteristics are instrumental in initiating and maintaining international growth. International Growth Of Smes : Past, Present, And The Future / Niina Nummela, Sami Saarenketo -- Entrepreneurs' Human And Relational Capital As Predictors Of Early Internationalization : Evidence From Latin America And South-east Asia / Juan Federico, Hugo Kantis, Alex Rialp, Josep Rialp -- The Board's Influence On The Internationalization Process In Smes / Johanna Nisuls, Anette S'derqvist, Soren Kock -- International Growth Orientation Of Sme Managers And Entrepreneurs : A Three-year Follow-up Study / Arto Kuuluvainen, Eriikka Paavilainen-mcntymki -- The Dark Side Of International Growth / Jarna Heinonen, Ulla Hytti -- Growth And Internationalization Of French And Danish Smes / Frederic Nlemvo, Mathieu Cabrol, Erik Rasmussen, Per Servais, Arild Aspelund -- International Growth Strategies In Different Marketing Contexts / Svante Andersson -- Analyzing The Moves Of International Entrepreneurial Organizations : The Entry Of Smes To Complex Markets / Antonella Zucchella -- The Binary Choice Facing Sme Internationalization / Colin Campbell-hunt, Sylvie Chetty -- Technology-based New Ventures And Critical Incidents In Growth / Jani Lindqvist, Olli Kuivalainen, Sami Saarenketo -- Towards A Typology Of Rapidly Internationalizing Smes / Jim Bell, Sharon Loane, Rod B. Mcnaughton, Per Servais -- Sampling Frames For Cross-national Survey Research In International Entrepreneurship / Scott Paul Johnston, Marian V. Jones, Anna Morgan-thomas, George I. Vlachos. Edited By Niina Nummela. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book provides a comprehensive overview of international growth of SMEs from diverse points of view. It verifies that SMEs in all parts of the globe share similar characteristics, yet differ significantly. New explanations for this emerge, and although seminal concepts still remain powerful, their proper use requires new interpretations