Internationalization and the performance of born-global SMEs: the mediating role of social networks

• 成果类型: Review
• 署名作者: Zhou, Lianxi; Wu, Wei-ping; Luo, Xueming
• 署名单位: Lingnan University; Hong Kong Baptist University; University of Texas System; University of Texas Arlington
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2506
• DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400282
• 发表日期: 2007
• 页码: 673-690
• 关键词: Social networks; guanxi; INTERNATIONALIZATION; born global; SMEs; CHINA

摘要

This paper offers a social network explanation for the purported relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the context of born-global small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We argue that home-based social networks play a mediating role in the relationship between inward and outward internationalization and firm performance. The mediating mechanism is attributed to three information benefits of social networks: (1) knowledge of foreign market opportunities; (2) advice and experiential learning; and (3) referral trust and solidarity. Using survey data from SMEs in the largest emerging economy of China, we found some support for this mediating role of social networks in the form of guanxi. The results imply that international business managers should consider social networks as an efficient means of helping internationally oriented SMEs to go international more rapidly and profitably.