Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/22827
Author(s): Rosário, M.
Ferreira, F.
Çipi, A.
Pérez-Bustamente, G. O.
Banaitienė, N.
Date: 2021
Title: “Should I stay or should I go?”: a multiple-criteria group decision-making approach to SME internationalization
Volume: 27
Number: 4
Pages: 876 - 899
ISSN: 2029-4913
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.3846/tede.2021.15055
Keywords: Cognitive maps
Decision EXpert (DEX)
International entrepreneurship
Internationalization process
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Abstract: Due to domestic markets’ current economic conditions, companies increasingly feel that they need to become actively involved in international trade. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically face financial and intellectual constraints during internationalization processes. This means that decision makers must consider a wide range of different variables before deciding to internationalize firms. This study sought to integrate a well-established problem structuring method (i.e., cognitive mapping) and a multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) technique (i.e., Decision EXpert (DEX)) in order to develop a decision model suitable for the identification and assessment of variables influencing SME internationalization capability. Using data collected during face-to-face meetings with a panel of experts (i.e., SME entrepreneurs and chief executive officers (CEOs)), a constructivist method of evaluating SME internationalization capability was created and tested using real data. The results confirm that the dual methodology adopted facilitates the development of a robust evaluation model that can improve decision-making processes in the context in question. Specifically, the proposed model identifies product features as the most important factor in SME capability for successful internationalization. In addition, internal factors are significantly more relevant than external factors. The integrated use of cognitive mapping and DEX provides decision makers with a well-informed perspective on SME internationalization capability. We know of no prior research reporting the use of these two methodologies in the SME internationalization context.
Peerreviewed: yes
Access type: Open Access
Appears in Collections:BRU-RI - Artigos em revistas científicas internacionais com arbitragem científica

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