Thinking small for the benefit of many: Supporting the process of internationalisation of retail SMEs in the EU

Abstract

Purpose – The goal of the research is twofold. It aims to identify obstacles that hinder retail SMEs in the process of internationalisation within the EU and to create a framework to address these factors. Design/methodology/approach – This research presents the results from a content analysis of a wide variety of papers. It identifies and classifies different obstacles together in overarching categories. Subsequently, digitalisation is analysed to assess whether it can address the obstacles in these categories through e-governance. Findings – Digitalisation can provide clear support to SMEs in the process of internationalisation. Through digitalisation, governments can provide businesses with information regarding requirements, rules and regulations in foreign markets, create awareness of internal limitations of the SMEs and offer assistance during the process itself. Research limitations/implications – The newly developed model has not been tested in different EU Member States. Practical implications – The information that is provided to SMEs during internationalisation needs to be tailored to the specific needs of the retail sector. Foreign markets are often complex; specified information helps SMEs to understand them. Originality/value – Many studies focus only on theoretical aspects. This thesis develops and provides a framework for policy makers to support SMEs in the internationalisation process.