Networks and Foreign Markets: How Relationships Shape the Sme’s Internationalization Process

This edited volume explores the process by which SMEs internationalize. It discusses the importance of domestic and international networks for firms’ activities and business performance. Offering vast empirical evidence from different industries, the book begins with a theoretical overview of internationalization and networks and goes on to examine the value of knowledge as provided by both domestic networks (i.e. the networks that a firm develops with providers, clients, competitors, local institutions and multinationals), and international network (i.e. business networks, venture capital firms, and global value chains) where the firm is able to use international contacts as a bridge for further development.
Offering a valuable contribution on the topic of internationalization, the book also establishes the main implications for practice.

Isabel Diez-Vial is a Full Professor of Business Administration. Her research interests cover organizational networks, territory, and internationalization. She has published in International Business Review, Journal of Management Studies, Regional Studies, Journal of Knowledge Management, Cities, Regional Studies, Journal of Technology Transfer, among others.

Marta Fernández-Olmos obtained her PhD in 2008 (Extraordinary Award for doctoral thesis from University of Zaragoza, Spain) and is currently Assistant Professor of Business Organization at the University of Zaragoza. Her research interests are innovation, family firms, and internationalization of SMEs. The author belongs to the Compete Research Group of the University of Zaragoza. She has published in Technovation, Journal of Technology Transfer, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Food Policy and British Food Journal, among others.