Potential international competitiveness and co-innovation of technology-based international SMEs

Abstract

This paper contributes to an integrated entrepreneurship perspective in the cross-section of research on networks, innovation and internationalisation. The study promotes a conceptualisation based on international competitiveness literature in order to further such an integrated entrepreneurship perspective. By focusing on potential international network competitiveness, delineated as network-based sources of international competitiveness, the sustainability of international entrepreneurial firms is emphasised. The paper specifically draws attention to the relationship between network-based sources of international competitiveness and international technology development. Three hypotheses are developed and tested on 142 technology-based internationalising SMEs by means of linear structural relations (LISREL). The results indicate that there are direct- and indirect positive effects between network-based sources of international competitiveness and international technology development.