The Resource-based View and SME Internationalisation: An Emerging Economy Perspective

The aim of  the paper is to advance the development of theory inthe field of international business by seeking to understand to what extent the resource-based view  (RBV),  built  on  the  experience  and  evidence  from advanced  economies,  helps understand the internationalisation process of emerging economy SMEs. The  paper  is  built  on  a systematic  literature  review of peer-reviewed  journal  articles  on  SME  internationalisation  motives  and  enablers  in emerging economies. The  RBV  arguments  explain  the  internationalisation  process  of emerging economy  SMEs  only  to  some  extent.  In  contrast  to advanced economy  firms,  the internationalisation of SMEs from emerging economies is more likely to be driven by the  exploitation  of  cost advantage,  and  motivation  to  gain  new  knowledge  that  is unavailable domestically and enhance their domestic  market reputation. Besides it is more handicapped by a lack of internationalisation experience or international ties. To  understand the process of emerging economy SME  internationalisation,  it  is  necessary  to  study  to  what extent  other  logics contribute to its explication. Further research should also seek to synthesise findings of the above major theoretical frameworks in the contextof emerging economy SME internationalisation process. The  originality  of  this  work  lies  in  studying the internationalisation motives and enablers of indigenousSMEs in emerging economies and challenging the applicability of the RBV arguments in this specific context

The Speed and Extent of New Venture Internationalisation in the Emerging Economy Context

The objective of this paper is to explore to what extentthe patterns of the internationalisation  process  described  in  the  new  venture  (NV) internationalisation theory, developed on the experience and practice of advanced economy firms, apply to the emerging economy context. The  paper  is  a  systematic  literature  review  developed on the basis of peer reviewed journal articles on NV internationalisation in emerging economies. It critically evaluates the applicability  of arguments proposed by the NV internationalisation theory to the emerging economy context. The  paper  contributes  to  the  NV  internationalisation theory  by offering  some propositions  on  the  specifics  of  international entrepreneurship in the emerging economy context. Findings:  In  contrast  to  firms  from  advanced  economies, internationalisation  of  NV from emerging economies is mainly driven by push factors related to their domestic markets.  Transportation, communication  and  digital  technology  play  a  less  relevant role in emerging economies; besides, their significance is more context specific; while their absence does not inhibit rapid internationalisation. To  better  understand  the  process  of  NV internationalisation in the emerging economy context,it is necessary to study to what extent  other  theoretical  logics  contribute  to  its  explication.  Further  research  should also seek to synthesise findings of research on other major theoretical frameworks