Globally Oriented Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises : In Search of an Integrative Framework and Competitive Determinants

This paper proposes a model that identifies the characteristics, particularities and determinants of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in multiple national markets. We identify these firms as Globally Oriented SMEs (GOSMEs), a particular category of international firms that does not fit in traditional typologies of large global firms. These SMEs are driven by factors and attributes such as manager's international experience and skills, size, competitive pressures, product/market standardisation, product/service distinctiveness and value-creating strategic actions appropriate to their relatively limited resources. We propose a definition and advance propositions for a sustainable value creation for GOSMEs