A taxonomy of strategic postures of international SMEs

Hagen, B., Zucchella, A., Larimo, J. and Dimitratos, P. (2017) A taxonomy of strategic postures of international SMEs. European Management Review, 14(3), pp. 265-285. (doi: 10.1111/emre.12109)

Abstract

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, i.e. 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 behaviour 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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dimitratos, Professor Pavlos
• Authors: Hagen, B., Zucchella, A., Larimo, J., and Dimitratos, P.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: European Management Review
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1740-4754
• ISSN (Online): 1740-4762
• Published Online: 14 February 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 European Academy of Management
• First Published: First published in European Management Review 14(3):265-285
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher