European SME's and Global Business

Globalisation has instigated huge changes in the competitive environment for business entrepreneurs, and both large and small firms now frequently operate in similar conditions. Most research studies in international business have tended to focus on the market growth and internationalisation of large-scale and multinational companies as opposed to the experiences of more small-scale enterprises. The research outlined in this volume is radical and different in this regard. Employing cases studies from a range of Norwegian-based SMEs (Small-to-Medium-based enterprises), this volume explores the diverse factors which influence the speed of entrepreneurial internationalisation and the significance of this development for both the entrepreneur and the government bodies which provide support to such businesses. Market advantage frequently accrues to those who enterprises who internationalise quickly and who are quicker than others to embrace both foreign markets and a more internationally-focussed signature brand or identity. This research outlined here is an important addition to the growing body of literature which analyses the forces influencing modern-day market internationalisation.