Networks for Prosperity: Enabling SMEs to develop the capabilities for independent and sustained involvement in international markets

An increasing problem for small and medium sized firms (SMEs) is that international markets are dominated by large multinational organizations that dominate global supply chains. This inhibits SMEs in their efforts to internationalise, and although governments in many countries run programmes that identify SMEs with the ability to partner with multinational, there is still a need for SMEs to develop the capabilities for independent and sustained involvement in international markets. This project will focus on SMEs and is likely to draw on dynamic capabilities, and the resource based view. A useful sectoral focus might be manufacturing.