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How do SMEs use support services during their internationalisation process: A comparative study of French traditional SMEs and INVs in Asia

Author

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  • Nathalie Belhoste

    (EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management)

  • Rachel Bocquet

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Veronique Favre-Bonté

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Frédéric Bally

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

Abstract

This article integrates research on the internationalisation processes of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and export assistance services to investigate how such firms use support services drawing upon a large, qualitative study of 32 French traditional SMEs and international new ventures (INVs) that have entered Asia. Our key contribution is to consider the time to internationalisation (gradual or rapid) and the stage of internationalisation (entrance or intensification) rather than export intensity alone, and to examine how support services can help SMEs internationalise. The identification of different configurations of uses leads to the development of theoretical propositions that extend existing models pertaining to support services and firm internationalisation. These findings have several important managerial implications for support services to target their offer more precisely to two types of SMEs; they also provide useful guidance for SMEs to determine which tailor-made offerings from private and public actors are most applicable to their internationalisation efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Belhoste & Rachel Bocquet & Veronique Favre-Bonté & Frédéric Bally, 2019. "How do SMEs use support services during their internationalisation process: A comparative study of French traditional SMEs and INVs in Asia," Post-Print hal-02380381, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02380381
    DOI: 10.1177/0266242619871165
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02380381
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    Cited by:

    1. Zahoor, Nadia & Al-Tabbaa, Omar, 2021. "Post-entry internationalization speed of SMEs: The role of relational mechanisms and foreign market knowledge," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    2. Kanayo K. Ogujiuba & Maria Eggink & Ebenezer Olamide, 2023. "Impact of Elements of Finance and Business Support on the SME Business Ecosystem in South Africa: An Econometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Nathalie Belhoste & Rachel Bocquet & Véronique Favre-Bonté, 2021. "Export support services and SME internationalization process," Post-Print hal-03891562, HAL.
    4. Freixanet, Joan, 2022. "Export promotion programs: A system-based systematic review and agenda for future research," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(4).
    5. Joan Freixanet & Ryan Federo, 2022. "When Born Globals Grow Up: A Review and Agenda for Research on the Performance of Maturing Early Internationalizers," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(6), pages 817-857, December.
    6. Alexis Catanzaro & Christine Teyssier, 2021. "Export promotion programs, export capabilities, and risk management practices of internationalized SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 1479-1503, October.

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    Keywords

    international new ventures; internationalisation process; internationalisation support services; traditional small medium-sized enterprises;
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