Abstracts
Abstract
This research conceptualizes entry modes as forms of international experience that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) gather and explores the role they play in building export knowledge and fostering international performance. Using a sample of 107 French SMEs from the steel industry, a causal model suggests that various entry modes have direct impacts on the level of explicit foreign market-related knowledge in SMEs and an indirect impact on tacit knowledge. Explicit and tacit knowledge correlate positively, and ultimately, an SME’s tacit knowledge regarding export markets improves its international performance.
Keywords:
- entry mode,
- tacit and explicit knowledge,
- KBV,
- SMEs,
- international performance
Résumé
Cette étude explore le rôle que les modes d’entrée – conceptualisés en tant que formes d’expérience internationale – jouent dans la création des connaissances à l’export et dans le renforcement de la performance internationale des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Un modèle causal développé et testé sur la base d’un échantillon de 107 PME françaises de l’industrie des métaux, suggère que les modes d’entrée ont un impact direct sur le niveau des connaissances explicites des PME à l’égard des marchés étrangers ainsi qu’un impact indirect sur les connaissances tacites. Les connaissances tacites concernant les marchés étrangers améliorent la performance internationale des PME.
Mots-clés :
- mode d’entrée,
- connaissances tacites et explicites,
- KBV,
- PME,
- performance internationale
Resumen
Este estudio explora el papel que desempeñan los modos de entrada en la creación del conocimiento de la exportación, fomentando y reforzando el funcionamiento internacional. El modelo de investigación a sido sometido a un test en una muestra de 107 PYMES francesas de la industria siderurgica. Los resultados sugieren que los modos de entrada tienen un impacto directo en el nivel del conocimiento explicito de PYMES relacionado con el mercado extranjero y un impacto indirecto en conocimiento tácito. In fine el conocimiento tácito con respecto a los mercados de exportación mejora el funcionamiento internacional de las PYMES.
Palabras clave:
- modos de la entrada,
- conocimiento tácito y explícito,
- KBV,
- PYMES funcionamiento internacional
Appendices
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