The Role of Social Capital during SMEs' Internationalization

Rieckmann, Jens; Gao, Peng; Meng, Fang

doi:10.1145/3194188.3194200

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 45 publications

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“…This also leads to distinct compensational mechanisms such as a high ability and employment of social networks, which is positively associated with internationalization speed (Meng et al , 2016) and performance (Ju et al , 2019; Omar et al , 2017). In a comparative study, Rieckmann et al (2018) found the influence of social capital during the pre-phase of internationalization was much stronger and more multidimensional for Chinese SMEs than for German SMEs.…”

Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review on the internationalization of Chinese SMEs: thematic expansion, new impulses and potential avenues for future research

Hänle

Cambré

Weil

2021

JEEE

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Purpose Supplementing an earlier review paper on the internationalization of Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (ICS) that covers the period 1991–2012, the purpose of this paper is to examine how research on this topic has thematically expanded in recent years. Specifically, the authors aim to examine the literature between 2013 and 2020, highlight advancements and synthesize potential avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach Based on the systematic literature review method (Denyer and Tranfield, 2009; Kraus et al., 2020), the authors considered more than 5,700 peer-reviewed journal articles, of which 107 were included in the narrative synthesis. Findings Research on the ICS has become more widespread and mature in the period since 2013. First, there are more papers investigating firm-level characteristics and sources of internal capabilities. Second, the state of knowledge regarding social networks and institutional contexts in the internationalization process has increased. Consequently, new knowledge exists regarding push and pull patterns and the role China’s institutional environment is playing. Third, growing interest can be noted in studying entrepreneurship in the context of Chinese SMEs’ global expansion. Additionally, the paper exposes promising areas for future research and suggests more than 20 potential research questions. Originality/value This review in the growing debate on the ICS is the first of its kind that consciously drives the work of a previous review study forward. This enables tracking the progress of research (“mapping of the field”) and identifying important avenues for future research that can further advance the debate. The comprehensive review also discovered one relatively new variable – the role of Chinese returnee entrepreneurs – which shows the significant influence on SME internationalization and attracts growing scholarly attention.

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