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Does relationship psychic distance matter for the learning processes of internationalizing SMEs?

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  • Nordman, Emilia Rovira
  • Tolstoy, Daniel

Abstract

This study builds on two theoretical assumptions: (1) Because SMEs tend to internationalize fast on a wide global scale, their market selections do not seem to be dictated by distance measures. (2) Business relationships seem to be vital for these firms when acquiring knowledge and developing their ongoing businesses in foreign markets. Based on these assumptions, this study applies Linear Structural Relations (LISREL) analysis to investigate the relationships of 314 Swedish SMEs and their most important foreign customers. In specific, we investigate what potential effects relationship psychic distance has on SMEs’ knowledge transfer in ongoing foreign customer relationships. The results demonstrate, rather counter-intuitively, that relationship psychic distance actually enhances knowledge transfer in the investigated customer relationships.

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  • Nordman, Emilia Rovira & Tolstoy, Daniel, 2014. "Does relationship psychic distance matter for the learning processes of internationalizing SMEs?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 30-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:23:y:2014:i:1:p:30-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2013.08.010
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    7. Klitmøller, Anders & Lauring, Jakob, 2016. "When distance is good: A construal level perspective on perceptions of inclusive international language use," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 276-285.
    8. Paul, Justin, 2020. "SCOPE framework for SMEs: A new theoretical lens for success and internationalization," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 219-230.
    9. Zahoor, Nadia & Khan, Zaheer & Shenkar, Oded, 2023. "International vertical alliances within the international business field: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(1).
    10. Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Elena-Alexandra Gorgos & Alexandru Mihai Ghigiu & Monica Pătruț, 2019. "Bridging Intellectual Capital and SMEs Internationalization through the Lens of Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-22, April.
    11. Bruno F. Abrantes, 2020. "Are Neoclassic Internationalization Models Enduring? A Case-Review of the Uppsala Paradigm," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(2), pages 21582440209, June.
    12. Mónica Clavel San Emeterio & Rubén Fernández-Ortiz & Jesús Arteaga-Ortiz & Pablo Dorta-González, 2018. "Measuring the gradualist approach to internationalization: Empirical evidence from the wine sector," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, May.
    13. M'onica Clavel & Jes'us Arteaga-Ortiz & Rub'en Fern'andez-Ortiz & Pablo Dorta-Gonz'alez, 2017. "Measuring the gradualist approach to internationalization," Papers 1710.03526, arXiv.org.
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