Networking responses to different levels of institutional void: A comparison of internationalizing SMEs in Egypt and the UK

Narooz, R. and Child, J. (2017) Networking responses to different levels of institutional void: A comparison of internationalizing SMEs in Egypt and the UK. International Business Review, 26(4), pp. 683-696. (doi: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2016.12.008)

Abstract

This paper reports a comparative qualitative study of how decision-makers in internationalizing SMEs respond to relevant institutions in their domestic environment through networking activity. Twenty SMEs are compared respectively from a developing economy (Egypt) and a developed economy (UK). The two countries contrast both in the effectiveness of their institutional support for SMEs and in their cultural norms towards network relationships. Substantial differences are found between the two national samples in SME decision makers’ networking behaviour in response to specific institutional conditions. The links between institutional conditions, national cultural norms and SME networking responses are explicated in a new theoretical model.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Narooz, Dr Rose
• Authors: Narooz, R., and Child, J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: International Business Review
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0969-5931
• ISSN (Online): 1873-6149
• Published Online: 02 January 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in International Business Review 26(4):683-696
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher