Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain how small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in transition environments overcome the liability of origin to gain their legitimacy in a global context. Design/methodology/approach Through semi-structured face-to-face interviews, this study...

This research looks at legitimacy challenges of SMEs evolving in transition environments. Facing lower visibility, higher institutional pressures and limited resources, SMEs experience stronger need to demonstrate their legitimacy, their adherence to the requirements of evaluating audiences. Two...