Title: Globally oriented Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises: in search of an integrative framework and competitive determinants

Authors: Jean-Marie Nkongolo-Bakenda, Robert Anderson, Jack Ito, Garnet Garven

Addresses: Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada. ' Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada. ' Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada. ' Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada

Abstract: This paper proposes a model that identifies the characteristics, particularities and determinants of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in multiple national markets. We identify these firms as Globally Oriented SMEs (GOSMEs), a particular category of international firms that does not fit in traditional typologies of large global firms. These SMEs are driven by factors and attributes such as manager|s international experience and skills, size, competitive pressures, product/market standardisation, product/service distinctiveness and value-creating strategic actions appropriate to their relatively limited resources. We propose a definition and advance propositions for a sustainable value creation for GOSMEs.

Keywords: competitiveness; globalisation; internationalisation; multinational; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; small business.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2006.012186

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.374 - 392

Published online: 27 Jan 2007 *

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