Transformations in
Business & Economics
- © Kaunas Faculty of Humanities
Vilnius University, 2002
Article
Researching the Internationalisation of SMEs in Transformation Economies: Some Initial Considerations
David J. Pollard, Iveta Simberova
ABSTRACT. The purpose of this paper is to examine the theoretical background to the internationalisation of SMEs in the context of transformation economies as a precursor to a study of relevant Czech companies. The important role of SMEs in transformation economies is discussed before examining existing theories of internationalisation and their application to SMEs in general and in transformation economy SMEs in particular. The paucity of relevant published research is identified as a limiting factor. The study concludes that no one theoretical model is sufficient to explain the internationalisation practices of SMEs in transformation economies, but that elements of the major theories may be combined to provide a theoretical grounding for further research.
KEYWORDS: transformation economies, SMEs, internationalisation, internationalisation theory.