The Intellectual Structure of Research on Knowledge for SMEs’ Internationalisation

Abstract

Knowledge is paramount to firms’ internationalisation, especially for those firms with lower size. This systematic review looks at them and analyses the intellectual structure of the scientific literature on knowledge required for the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We analysed the content of 224 articles found on the intersection of knowledge and SMEs’ internationalisation for the period 1984-2017. We classified the content into theoretical approaches, entry modes, target variables, methods, home and host geographical areas and industries analysed. We examined the dynamics of descriptors over time by splitting the period into two non-overlapping sub-periods based on the information technology eras: Digitalization and Age of Acceleration, which have had an impact on possibilities of SMEs’ internationalisation. We mapped the intellectual structure of research in a two-dimensional graph. Four areas of descriptors with singular distributions were found and discussed. Finally, we propose a research agenda in five research avenues.