Overcoming economic liminality

Internationalization of B2B SME’s from a small emerging economy

Bibliographic Data

ID15539005
AuthorsBarney G Pacheco (0000-0002-6469-131X, University of the West Indies, corresponding author), Syed H Akhter (Marquette University)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue5
Pages617-639
Publication date2021-08-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical Perspectives on International Business (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1742-2043 • E-ISSN: 1758-6062
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/cpoib-08-2020-0112
OpenAlexW3190139597
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited60

Purpose Current research on small to medium enterprise (SME) internationalization has generated valuable insight but continues to overlook the activities of business-to-business (B2B) SMEs located in small emerging economies. This study aims to fill this gap by testing the applicability of the ownership, location and internalization (OLI) framework to understand the internationalization strategies of small B2B firms in Trinidad and Tobago, a small emerging Caribbean economy. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative research design, which involved in-depth interviews with senior executives of three firms in the B2B sector who were knowledgeable about their firm’s internationalization process. Thematic analysis was then used to understand the motivations and strategies underpinning the internationalization approach adopted by each firm. Findings Contrary to the stereotype of SMEs in emerging markets as fragile enterprises, there is evidence that firms exploited the development of innovative products and processes to facilitate foreign market entry and expansion. Additionally, firms overcame resource limitations by relying on governmental ties and leveraging networking opportunities. The findings also call attention to the impact of organizational learning and the role of knowledge as a dynamic capability. Originality/value Both the context of the study and the application of the OLI framework contributes to the extant literature by yielding substantive insights into the internationalization strategies of B2B firms in a small emerging economy. The findings further highlight how the OLI framework can be supplemented by other theoretical perspectives to better understand internationalization by emerging market SMEs

Business · Context (archaeology · Economic system · Economics · Emerging markets · Industrial organization · International business · International trade · Internationalization · Management · Originality · Qualitative research · Small and medium-sized enterprises · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Underpinning · Value (mathematics · Corporate Finance and Governance · Family Business Performance and Succession · International Business and FDI · Marketing

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