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A Taxonomy of Strategic Postures of International SMEs
Author(s) -
Hagen Birgit,
Zucchella Antonella,
Larimo Jorma,
Dimitratos Pavlos
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european management review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1740-4762
pISSN - 1740-4754
DOI - 10.1111/emre.12109
Subject(s) - internationalization , business , sample (material) , taxonomy (biology) , industrial organization , strategic management , marketing , entrepreneurial orientation , international marketing , cluster (spacecraft) , international business , core competency , strategic planning , knowledge management , entrepreneurship , management , economics , international trade , computer science , biology , chemistry , botany , finance , chromatography , programming language
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 of more 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.