Title: On researching the internationalisation of SMEs in transformation economies

Authors: David Pollard, Iveta Simberova

Addresses: Reader in Technology Transfer and Enterprise, Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, Bronte Hall, Headingley Campus, Leeds LS6 3QS, UK. ' Faculty Business and Management, Brno University of Technology, Kolejni 2906/4, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract: This paper contains a review of the current debate concerning SME internationalisation and sets out a research agenda for investigating SME internationalisation in transformation economies. Current developments and various theoretical approaches in explaining the dynamics of SME internationalisation are examined, together with the role of government policies that could expedite the internationalisation processes of SMEs. It is argued that the adoption of a resource-based approach might provide a unifying theoretical approach to the examination of SME internationalisation in transformation economies. Subsequently a research agenda in the form of a set of research propositions is proposed.

Keywords: internationalisation; transformation economies; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; transition economies; research agenda; resource based view; RBV; entrepreneurship; East and Central Europe.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2008.018220

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.4 No.2/3, pp.107 - 124

Published online: 12 May 2008 *

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