Globalisation has instigated huge changes in the competitive environment for business entrepreneurs, and both large and small firms now frequently operate in similar conditions. Most research studies in international business have tended to focus on the market growth and internationalisation of large-scale and multinational companies as opposed to the experiences of more small-scale enterprises. The research outlined in this volume is radical and different in this regard. Employing cases studies from a range of Norwegian-based SMEs (Small-to-Medium-based enterprises), this volume explores the diverse factors which influence the speed of entrepreneurial internationalisation and the significance of this development for both the entrepreneur and the government bodies which provide support to such businesses. Market advantage frequently accrues to those who enterprises who internationalise quickly and who are quicker than others to embrace both foreign markets and a more internationally-focussed signature brand or identity. This research outlined here is an important addition to the growing body of literature which analyses the forces influencing modern-day market internationalisation.

SMEs are significant job creators and drivers of innovation and competition in most economic sectors. Furthermore, the traditional constraints of small and medium enterprises, such as geographic operations, are now being dissolved by technological developments. This means that there are new opportunities for SMEs, and their fundamental principles are being redefined: the aims, competencies, strategy, management, practice, and scope of these businesses are changing, with wide-ranging implications. This is the second part of a two volume work that incorporates scientific chapters on SME business theory and practice. Authors provide a balanced perspective of the present and future of SMEs across all business disciplines, for example management, strategy, marketing, economics and finance. While Volume I focuses on the individual SME and internal issues such as innovation, quality, and digitization, this second volume explores external issues such as contextual forces, the effects of the financial crisis, and macro-economic effects.

There are 18 contributions in the book; all of whom are very highly regarded in the fields of entrepreneurship and international management. . . the book is well researched and edited. The book provides an excellent discussion on the importance of SMEs in the global economy. Through a number of different case study examples and discussion of various elements of the internationalization process, this book provides an outstanding resource for the study of SMEs that operate in the international market. Vanessa Ratten, Journal of International Entrepreneurship This book is most timely. It arrives at a time when globalisation and new technologies present major opportunities and challenges to the role of the independent small and medium sized business in economies. . . The book s strength in dealing with many of the emerging issues is underpinned by a truly international range of contributors with a strong mix of practical as well as academic experience. From the preface by Allan Gibb, Professor Emeritus, Durham University, UK Lester Lloyd-Reason and Leigh Sear bring together leading researchers and thinkers in this critical guide to the ongoing, worldwide research shaping the role played by SMEs within today s global economy. The expert contributors contend that the past twenty years have seen an explosion in research into international SMEs, resulting in a considerable body of academic literature and thinking. This research, they argue, may merely serve to increase our lack of understanding in this area, and often results in myths and misconceptions upon which SME policies and support programmes have been developed and introduced. They go on to suggest that academic models are often poorly suited to the problems faced by SMEs within the international trading environment. In many instances, the contributors find SMEs at the vanguard of the challenge to accepted business practices: it is these challenges that underpin the text. Illustrating that today s SMEs are faced with the critical issue of how to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in light of the increased complexity of international trade and global business linkages, this Handbook will prove invaluable to both academics and practitioners involved in business and management and entrepreneurship.

This book is an important contribution to the field of international entrepreneurship. . . it provides a comprehensive account of internationalization strategies adopted by SMEs in a wide range of European countries, and by drawing on a number of empirical studies, it enriches the theory of SME internationalization with a new theoretical framework that can be useful for understanding the complexity of SME internationalization processes in Europe. Julia Korosteleva, Thunderbird International Business Review From Andorra to Wales with stops in more than 35 other European countries along the way, this comprehensive collection of articles is required reading for scholars interested in international entrepreneurship. It provides information on how entrepreneurs and their firms go international from virtually every country in Europe. This unique volume permits researchers to compare how the process of entrepreneurial internationalization is affected by differences in culture, location, technology, and other influences within Europe. Furthermore, the various authors consider a range of theoretically important issues, such as cooperation and trust, venture capital, research and development, learning, networks, and government policy. This book serves as an essential departure point from which scholars can embark on their study of international entrepreneurship in Europe. Benjamin M. Oviatt, Georgia State University, US This is a timely and interesting book that brings together some of the most insightful contributions on the internationalization of new ventures, with an emphasis on the European experiences. Assembling some of the best scholars, the book offers a distinctively European perspective one that deserves recognition, analysis, and discussion. I applaud the editors for doing such a masterful job in bringing a great group of researchers and ideas together. I highly recommend this book for any serious researcher and scholar. Shaker A. Zahra, University of Minnesota, US This remarkable book provides valuable contributions on how the process of SMEs internationalization is operating in 37 different European countries. Researchers in international entrepreneurship will find new materials for theorization. Numerous facets of international business are carefully documented by a great many well-known scholars. Also, given the variety of situations typical of the European small business sector, the book may prove to be helpful to small-scale entrepreneurs wishing to take steps towards internationalization. Overall, this coordinate work makes you realize why Europe is so fascinating. Jean-Jacques Obrecht, University Robert Schuman, Strasbourg, France This unique comparative study of the internationalization of small firms is a milestone in international business research. It compares the internationalization strategies of fast-growing firms across nearly forty different European countries. It shows that the growth trajectories of firms reflect the investing country s geographical location, natural resource endowments, legal and financial institutions and local culture. There are many important new insights to be gained from a careful study of this important new research resource. Mark Casson, University of Reading, UK This unique Handbook illustrates how entrepreneurs across Europe tackle internationalization. This timely and important book identifies patterns and builds a theory of international entrepreneurship in Europe. The contributors discuss the performances of SMEs on the road to internationalization. Each chapter emphasizes how the process of internationalization of SMEs operates, the challenges and opportunities that arise due to each country s specific political and economic situation, and their subsequent internationalization performance. These processes, challenges and performances can be understood through theories of international business and entrepreneurship. Although at times these theories cannot fully

This document is to help non-US small to medium enterprises (SME) when considering doing international business in and through the United States of America (US). It is a brief overview of a sample of issues to consider and is not an exhaustive treatment of the subject. It is meant to serve as an introductory guide for discussion between the company and their Buoyant Capital peer advisor. The peer advisors may suggest how to establish a business plan for internationalization via the US market using NYC as the primary international base of operations. For this document an SME is a company that has reached break-even, is a sustainable business, with products that are suitable for the international market, but may currently be selling only to a domestic or near regional market close to its borders. The author assumes the company has an intent to conduct cross-border trade spanning North and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Russia and Africa. (Commercial activity in Asia also applies but has special considerations that are not fully represented in this document. A peer advisor can address the specifics of each case as needed.) The suggestions offered in this document may be of interest to micro companies at an earlier stage of development, but much depends on the type of business and type of products being sold. While Buoyant Capital peer advisors have extensive experience in new venture formation, this document is not written for pre-revenue startups although they can benefit from an early understanding of the issues.

The ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS (UK and Ireland Chapter) Published in association with the UK and Ireland Chapter of the Academy of International Business Reflecting the aim of the 43rd AIB-UKI Conference on re-invigorating the still faltering global economy, this new book brings together fresh and interdisciplinary perspectives on avenues for further advancing the growth of international enterprises and the global economy. Growth Frontiers in International Business includes contributions from a diverse number of established and emergent IB scholars, who richly illustrate contemporary international business growth frontiers. The book presents discussion and thought into four main foci; policy frontiers, emerging market frontiers, innovation pathways and ethical growth avenues.

The book provides knowledge of sustainable marketing tools in SMEs operating in the industry.

International business for the modern firm has to compromise the need to use limited resources and achieve efficiency in the global marketplace. This book examines these issues from the viewpoint of the internationalized SME, the big multinational and the local subsidiary drawing on research conducted in different countries.

This volume provides a fresh overview of many novel international business research challenges as they pertain to salient institutional dimensions with a locational component, with a focus on the ‘new normal’.