The internationalisation of Czech SMEs: some issues relating to marketing knowledge deficiencies
by David Pollard, Maria Jemicz
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB), Vol. 3, No. 3/4, 2006

Abstract: A key factor in Czech economic development is the Czech SMEs that have been operating in a free-market economy for a relatively short period (Pollard and Simberova, 2002). The Czech Republic's accession to the EU in May 2004 offers many opportunities for Small- and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs), e.g., easier access to foreign markets within and outside the European community. Strategic marketing-related challenges include the degree of variability that the SME has to manage in terms of its product and other elements of the marketing mix, despite the relative ease of entering other EU member markets. The aim of the present article is to identify some problems facing Czech SMEs which are associated with insufficient utilisation of marketing knowledge in assessing foreign markets. The first part of the discussion analyses internationalisation and marketing knowledge while the second part contains preliminary results of a research project related to marketing-related aspects of the internationalisation of SMEs in the Czech Republic. We assess not only the weak points and threats for Czech SMEs but also their strengths and perceived opportunities with regard to international activities.

Online publication date: Wed, 15-Mar-2006

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