Internationalisation of SMEs: a systematic literature review and future research directions

This systematic review aims at identifying the critical factors underpinning the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sixty-five published articles that were meticulously scrutinised using qualitative inclusion/exclusion criteria were reviewed to determine the role of networking and the importance of knowledge, internal resources and institutional support to facilitate the internationalisation process of SMEs. Findings show that networking, knowledge, resources, and institutional support are central to the internationalisation of SMEs. Furthermore, it is recommended that comparative cross-country studies be carried out to determine the extent to which these factors are consistent across different countries. Future studies should adopt cross-disciplinary approach instead of using a fragmented approach. These findings have implications for multiple stakeholders (including, policymakers, banks, export promotion agencies, international network associations, and managers) in effectively strategising the internationalisation of SMEs. It sets directions for future studies to extend the body of knowledge on SMEs' internationalisation.