This study provides a theoretical analysis of SME strategic postures and presents empirical evidence of strategic types of international SMEs across three European countries, namely Italy, Finland and Greece. Empirical investigation based on a sample ofmore than 550 international SMEs is performed through cluster analysis. Findings suggest there are four broad strategic types, namely, the entrepreneurial/growth oriented group of firms, a marketing/selling group of business, a cluster of firms which lack strategic orientation and strategy, and the cluster which focuses on innovation/technology and core manufacturing competencies. The taxonomy provides a description and an explanation of international strategic postures and the basis for theorizing on SMEs’ international behavior and outcome consequences. Any programs – business and policy-wise – which aim to stimulate internationalization would benefit greatly from tailoring recommendations to the nature of the strategic types.

A Taxonomy of Strategic Postures of International SMEs

HAGEN, BIRGIT;ZUCCHELLA, ANTONELLA;
2017-01-01

Abstract

This study provides a theoretical analysis of SME strategic postures and presents empirical evidence of strategic types of international SMEs across three European countries, namely Italy, Finland and Greece. Empirical investigation based on a sample ofmore than 550 international SMEs is performed through cluster analysis. Findings suggest there are four broad strategic types, namely, the entrepreneurial/growth oriented group of firms, a marketing/selling group of business, a cluster of firms which lack strategic orientation and strategy, and the cluster which focuses on innovation/technology and core manufacturing competencies. The taxonomy provides a description and an explanation of international strategic postures and the basis for theorizing on SMEs’ international behavior and outcome consequences. Any programs – business and policy-wise – which aim to stimulate internationalization would benefit greatly from tailoring recommendations to the nature of the strategic types.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/1179738
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