Understanding the driving forces behind the internationalisation process of fast-moving SMEs: implications for export assistance programmes
by Elisabeth Lefebvre, Mario Bourgault, Lise Prefontaine, Louis A. Lefebvre
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (IJEIM), Vol. 3, No. 5/6, 2003

Abstract: The number of exporters among small firms continues to grow in most countries, particularly those SMEs that have developed unique capabilities and a high level of innovation. Overall, this trend supports the view, which is gradually becoming widely accepted, that internationalisation is a key ingredient of the knowledge based economy. This paper presents five case studies as a means to investigate the internationalisation process for fastmoving SMEs and to discover the driving forces behind their rapid expansion in foreign markets. The sets of factors that emerge as determinants of export performance are classified into three categories: the characteristics, beliefs and attitudes of the founder/entrepreneur; the degree of innovativeness of the firm; and the influence of external change agents. The implications for increasing the efficiency of government support programs are discussed.

Online publication date: Mon, 10-May-2004

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (IJEIM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com