The effect of EU enlargementon the internationalisation of SMEs in the European Union; a Dutch perspective

10 november 2004

The enlargement of the European Union took place on May 1st 2004. It is expected that the process of enlargement will have effect on SMEs in the EU-15 countries, for example by providing additional trade and investment opportunities. This study focuses on current internationalisation and future international commitment of SMEs from the 'old' Member States in the new EU Member States. The stage theory, which is the prevailing model of the process of internationalisation of enterprises, was tested among a sample of Dutch SMEs with respect to their activities in the new EU countries. This theory suggests that enterprises follow a gradual, incremental pattern in internationalising their activities and presupposes that enterprises that have more experience with internationalisation and foreign markets are more likely to increase their commitment in foreign markets. The results of our study indicate that the pattern for Dutch SMEs is broadly in line with the stage theory.

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The effect of EU enlargement on the internationalisation of SMEs in the European Union; a Dutch perspective

26 oktober 2004

This study focuses on current internationalisation and future international commitment of SMEs from the 'old' Member States in the new EU Member States. The results reveal that firms demonstrate a pattern of gradually increasing commitment in the new EU countries. Current experience with international activities in the region seems to be a key influence encouraging SMEs to be more involved in this region. The effect only slightly weakens if we take the positive link between human capital of the business owner into account.
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Auteur(s): dr. S.J.A. Hessels

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