Skip to main content
Log in

Internationalization and the performance of born-global SMEs: the mediating role of social networks

  • Article
  • Published:
Journal of International Business Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper offers a social network explanation for the purported relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the context of born-global small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We argue that home-based social networks play a mediating role in the relationship between inward and outward internationalization and firm performance. The mediating mechanism is attributed to three information benefits of social networks: (1) knowledge of foreign market opportunities; (2) advice and experiential learning; and (3) referral trust and solidarity. Using survey data from SMEs in the largest emerging economy of China, we found some support for this mediating role of social networks in the form of guanxi. The results imply that international business managers should consider social networks as an efficient means of helping internationally oriented SMEs to go international more rapidly and profitably.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, P.S. and Kwon, S.W. (2002) ‘Social capital: prospect for a new concept’, Academy of Management Review 27 (1): 17–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arbuckle, J.L. (1999) Amos 4.0 User's Guide, SmallWaters Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Annavarjula, M.G. and Beldona, S. (2000) ‘Multinationality–performance relationship: a review and reconceptualization’, International Journal of Organizational Analysis 8 (1): 48–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autio, E. (2005) ‘Creative tension: the significance of Ben Oviatt's and Patricia McDougall's article “Toward a Theory of International New Ventures”’, Journal of International Business Studies 36 (1): 9–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autio, E., Sapienza, H.J. and Almeida, J.G. (2000) ‘Effects of age at entry, knowledge intensity, and imitability on international growth’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (5): 909–924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R.M. and Kenny, D.A. (1986) ‘The mediator–moderator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 (6): 1173–1182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batjargal, B. (2003) ‘Social capital and entrepreneurial performance in Russia: a longitudinal study’, Organization Studies 24 (4): 535–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björkman, I. and Kock, S. (1995) ‘Social relationships and business networks: the case of western companies in China’, International Business Review 4 (4): 519–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boisot, M. and Child, J. (1996) ‘From fiefs to clans and network capitalism: explaining China's emerging economic order’, Administrative Science Quarterly 41 (4): 600–628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borgatti, S.P. and Cross, R. (2003) ‘A relational view of information seeking and learning in social networks’, Management Science 49 (4): 432–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brouthers, L.E. and Xu, K. (2002) ‘Product stereotypes, strategy and performance satisfaction: the case of Chinese exporters’, Journal of International Business Studies 33 (4): 657–677.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, P.J., Clegg, J. and Wang, C. (2002) ‘The impact of inward FDI on the performance of Chinese manufacturing firms’, Journal of International Business Studies 33 (4): 637–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R.S. (1992) Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition, Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R.S. (1997) ‘The contingent value of social capital’, Administrative Science Quarterly 42 (2): 339–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, M. (1994) ‘Guanxi and the Chinese art of network building’, New Asia Review, Summer: 40–43.

  • Chen, H. and Chen, T.-J. (1998) ‘Network linkages and location choice in foreign direct investment’, Journal of International Business Studies 29 (3): 445–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, T.-J. (2003) ‘Network resources for internationalization: the case of Taiwan's electronics firms’, Journal of Management Studies 40 (5): 1107–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chetty, S. and Campbell-Hunt, C. (2004) ‘A strategic approach to internationalization: a traditional vs a “Born-Global” approach’, Journal of International Marketing 12 (1): 57–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and Munro, H.J. (1997) ‘Network relationships and the internationalization process of small software firms’, International Business Review 6 (2): 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and McAuley, A. (1999) ‘Internationalization and the smaller firm: a review of contemporary empirical research’, Management International Review 39 (3): 223–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, M.T. and Homse, E. (1986) ‘Controlling the marketing–purchasing interface: resources development and organizational implications’, Industrial Marketing Management 1 (2): 3–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, H., Leung, K.P., Luk, T.K. and Wong, Y. (1995) ‘The benefits of “Guanxi”: The value of relationships in developing the Chinese market’, Industrial Marketing Management 24 (3): 207–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donckels, R. and Lambrecht, J. (1995) ‘Joint ventures: no longer a mysterious world for SMEs from developed and developing countries’, International Small Business Journal 13 (2): 11–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, P. (2000) ‘Social ties and foreign market entry’, Journal of International Business Studies 31 (3): 443–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, P. and Pecotich, A. (2001) ‘Social factors influencing export initiation in small and medium-sized enterprises’, Journal of Marketing Research 38 (1): 119–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson, K., Johanson, J., Majkgard, A. and Sharma, D.D. (1997) ‘Experiential knowledge and costs in the internationalization process’, Journal of International Business Studies 28 (2): 337–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etemad, H. (2004) ‘Internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises: a grounded theoretical framework and an overview’, Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences 21 (1): 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etemad, H. and Wright, R.W. (2003) ‘Internationalization of SMEs: toward a new paradigm’, Small Business Economics 20 (1): 1–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etemad, H., Wright, R.W. and Dana, L.P. (2001) ‘Symbiotic international business networks: collaboration between small and large firms’, Thunderbird International Business Review 43 (4): 481–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evangelista, F.U. (1996) ‘Linking business relationships to marketing strategy and export performance: a proposed conceptual framework’, Advances in International Marketing 8: 59–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, E. and Reuber, A.R. (2003) ‘Targeting export support to SMEs: owners' international experience as a segmentation basis’, Small Business Economics 20 (1): 69–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, J. and Collins-Dodd, C. (2000) ‘The impact of firms' export orientation on the export performance of high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises’, Journal of International Marketing 8 (3): 84–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghauri, P., Lutz, C. and Tesfom, G. (2003) ‘Using networks to solve export-marketing problems of small and medium-sized firms from developing countries’, European Journal of Marketing 37 (5/6): 728–752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, L. and Ramaswamy, K. (1999) ‘An empirical examination of the form of the relationship between multinationality and performance’, Journal of International Business Studies 30 (1): 173–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould, D.M. (1994) ‘Immigrant links to the home country: empirical implications for US bilateral trade flows’, Review of Economics and Statistics 76 (2): 302–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter, M.S. (1973) ‘The strength of weak ties’, American Journal of Sociology 78 (6): 1360–1380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granovetter, M.S. (1985) ‘Economic action and social structure: the problem of embeddedness’, American Journal of Sociology 91 (3): 481–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, R.M. (1987) ‘Multinationality and performance among British manufacturing companies’, Journal of International Business Studies 18 (3): 79–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulati, R. (1995) ‘Social structure and alliance formation patterns: a longitudinal analysis’, Administrative Science Quarterly 40 (4): 619–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haahti, A., Madupu, V., Yavas, U. and Babakus, E. (2005) ‘Cooperative strategy, knowledge intensity and export performance of small and medium sized enterprises’, Journal of World Business 40 (2): 124–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadley, R.D. and Wilson, H.I.M. (2003) ‘The network model of internationalization and experiential knowledge’, International Business Review 12 (6): 697–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, S. and Wheeler, C. (2005) ‘Entrepreneurs' relationships for internationalization: functions, origins and strategies’, International Business Review 14 (2): 187–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hitt, M.A., Lee, H.-U. and Yucel, E. (2002) ‘The importance of social capital to the management of multinational enterprises: relational networks among Asian and Western firms’, Asia Pacific Journal of Management 19 (2/3): 353–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inkpen, A.C. and Tsing, W.K. (2005) ‘Social capital, networks, and knowledge transfer’, Academy of Management Review 30 (1): 146–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, R.D., Hitt, M.A., Camp, S.M. and Sexton, D.L. (2001) ‘Integrating entrepreneurship and strategic management actions to create firm wealth’, Academy of Management Executive 15 (1): 49–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Mattsson, L.G. (1988) ‘Internationalization in Industrial Systems: A Network Approach’, in N. Hood and J.E. Vahlne (eds.) Strategies in Global Competition, Croom Helm: London, pp: 287–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Vahlne, J.E. (2003) ‘Business relationship learning and commitment in the internationalization process’, Journal of International Entrepreneurship 1 (1): 83–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G.A. and Cavusgil, S.T. (1996) ‘The Born Global Firm: A Challenge to Traditional Internationalization Theory’, in S.T. Cavusgil and T. Madsen (eds.) Advances in International Marketing, Vol. 8, pp: 11–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G.A. and Cavusgil, S.T. (2004) ‘Innovation, organizational capabilities, and the born-global firm’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (2): 124–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kogut, B. (1985) ‘Designing global strategies: profiting from operational flexibility’, Sloan Management Review 27 (1): 27–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korhonen, H., Luostarinen, R. and Welch, L. (1996) ‘Internationalization of SMEs: inward–outward patterns and government policy’, Management International Review 36 (4): 315–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonidou, C.L. and Theodosiou, M. (2004) ‘The export marketing information system: an integration of the extant knowledge’, Journal of World Business 39 (1): 12–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, N. and Parkhe, A. (1997) ‘Importer behavior: the neglected counterpart of international exchange’, Journal of International Business Studies 38 (3): 495–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liesch, P.W. and Knight, G.A. (1999) ‘Information internalization and hurdle rates in small and medium enterprise internationalization’, Journal of International Business Studies 30 (2): 383–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liesch, P.W., Welch, L.S., Welch, D., McGaughey, S.L., Peterson, B. and Lamb, P. (2002) ‘Evolving strands of research on firm internalization: an Australian-Nordic Perspective’, International Studies of Management and Organization 32 (1): 16–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (2001a) ‘Guanxi: A Conceptual Analysis’, in A. So, N. Lin, and D. Poston (eds.) The Chinese Triangle of Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong: Comparative Institutional Analysis, Greenwood Press: London, pp: 153–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (2001b) Social Capital: A Theory of Social Structure and Action, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Loane, S. and Bell, J. (2006) ‘Rapid internationalization among entrepreneurial firms in Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand’, International Marketing Review 23 (5): 467–485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovett, S., Simmons, L.C. and Kali, R. (1999) ‘Guanxivs the market: ethics and efficiency’, Journal of International Business Studies 30 (2): 231–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J.W. and Beamish, P.W. (2001) ‘The internationalization and performance of SMEs’, Strategic Management Journal 2 (6–7): 565–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. (1997) ‘Guanxi and performance of foreign-invested enterprises in China: an empirical inquiry’, Management International Review 37 (1): 51–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. (1999) ‘Environment–strategy–performance relations in small businesses in China: a case of township and village enterprises in Southern China’, Journal of Small Business Management 37 (1): 37–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. (2000) Guanxi and Business, World Scientific: Singapore.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. (2003) ‘Industrial dynamics and managerial networking in an emerging market: the case of China’, Strategic Management Journal 24 (13): 1315–1327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. and Chen, M. (1997) ‘Does Guanxi influence firm performance?’ Asia Pacific Journal of Management 14 (1): 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, T.K. and Servais, P. (1997) ‘The internationalization of born globals: an evolutionary process?’ International Business Review 6 (6): 561–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAuley, A. (1993) ‘The perceived usefulness of export information sources’, European Journal of Marketing 27 (10): 52–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, P. and Oviatt, B.M. (1996) ‘New venture internationalization, strategic change, and performance: a follow-up study’, Journal of Business Venturing 11 (1): 23–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J.C. (1969) ‘The Concept and Use of Social Networks’, in J.C. Mitchell (ed.) Social Networks in Urban Situations: Analyses of Personal Relationships in Central African Towns, Manchester University Press: Manchester, pp: 1–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moen, O. and Servais, P. (2002) ‘Born global or gradual global? Examining the export behavior of small and medium-sized enterprises’, Journal of International Marketing 10 (3): 49–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oleinik, A. (2004) ‘A model of network capitalism: basic ideas and post-soviet evidence’, Journal of Economic Issues 38 (1): 85–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, B. and McDougall, P. (1994) ‘Toward a theory of international new ventures’, Journal of International Business Studies 25 (1): 45–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, B. and McDougall, P. (1995) ‘Global start-ups: entrepreneurs on a worldwide stage’, Academy of Management Executive 9 (2): 30–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, B. and McDougall, P. (2005) ‘Defining international entrepreneurship and modeling the speed of internationalization’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 29 (5): 537–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, S.H. and Luo, Y. (2001) ‘Guanxi and organizational dynamics: organizational networking in Chinese firms’, Strategic Management Journal 22 (5): 455–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, M. and Heath, P.S. (1996) ‘The growth of the firm in planned economies in transition: institutions, organizations, and strategic choice’, Academy of Management Review 21 (2): 492–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng, M. and Luo, Y. (2000) ‘Managerial ties and firm performance in a transition economy: the nature of a micro-macro link’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (3): 486–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P.M. and Organ, D.W. (1986) ‘Self-reports in organizational research: problems and prospects’, Journal of Management 12 (4): 531–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramaswamy, K. (1992) ‘Multinationality and performance: a synthesis and redirection’, Advances in International Comparative Management 7: 241–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redding, G. (1990) The Spirit of Chinese Capitalism, Walter de Gruyter: New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Redding, G. (1991) ‘Weak Organizations and Strong Linkages: Managerial Ideology and Chinese Family Business Networks’, in G.G. Hamilton (ed.) Business Networks and Economic Development in East and Southeast Asia, Center for Asian Studies: University of Hong Kong, pp: 30–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennie, M. (1993) ‘Born global’, McKinsey Quarterly 4 (4): 45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, S.D. (1984) ‘Information acquisition and export entry decisions in small firms’, Journal of Business Research 12 (2): 141–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rialp, A., Rialp, J. and Knight, G.A. (2005) ‘The phenomenon of early internationalizing firms: what do we know after a decade (1993–2003) of scientific inquiry?’ International Business Review 14 (2): 147–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riddle, L.A. and Gillespie, K. (2003) ‘Information sources for new ventures in the Turkish clothing export industry’, Small Business Economics 20 (1): 105–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E.M. and Kincaid, L. (1969) Communication Networks: Toward a New Paradigm for Research, Free Press: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruigrok, W. and Wagner, H. (2003) ‘Internationalization and performance: an organizational learning perspective’, Management International Review 43 (1): 63–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapienza, H.J., De Clercq, D. and Sandberg, W. (2005) ‘Antecedents of international and domestic learning effort’, Journal of Business Venturing 20 (4): 437–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, D.D. and Blomstermo, A. (2003) ‘The internationalization process of born globals: a network view’, International Business Review 12 (6): 739–753.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorenson, O. (2003) ‘Social networks and industrial geography’, Journal of Evolutionary Economics 13 (5): 513–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Standifird, S.S. and Marshall, R.S. (2000) ‘The transaction cost advantage of Guanxi-based business practices’, Journal of World Business 35 (1): 21–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, T.E., Hoang, H. and Hybels, R.C. (1999) ‘Interorganizational endorsements and the performance of entrepreneurial ventures’, Administrative Science Quarterly 44 (2): 315–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Styles, C. and Ambler, T. (1994) ‘Successful export practice: the UK experience’, International Marketing Review 11 (6): 23–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, D. (1994) ‘Measuring the degree of internationalization of a firm’, Journal of International Business Studies 25 (2): 325–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tallman, S. and Li, J. (1996) ‘Effects of international diversity and product diversity on the performance of multinational firms’, Academy of Management Journal 39 (1): 179–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, D.E. and Eden, L. (2004) ‘What is the shape of the multinationality–performance relationship?’ Multinational Business Review 12 (1): 89–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toyne, B. (1989) ‘International exchange: a foundation for theory-building in international business’, Journal of International Business Studies 20 (1): 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsui, A., Farh, J.L. and Xin, K. (2000) ‘Guanxi in the Chinese Context’, in J.T. Li, A. Tsui and E. Weldon (eds.) Management and Organization in the Chinese Context, Macmillan: London, pp: 225–244.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P.L.K. and Ellis, P. (2002) ‘Social ties and partner identification in Sino–Hong Kong international joint ventures’, Journal of International Business Studies 33 (2): 267–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, W.P. and Hoskisson, R.E. (2003) ‘Home country environment, corporate diversification strategies, and firm performance’, Academy of Management Journal 46 (1): 27–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weimann, G. (1989) ‘Social Networks and Communication’, in M.K. Asante and W.B. Gudyunst (eds.) Handbook of International and Intercultural Communication, Sage: Newbury Park, CA, pp: 186–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, D.E., Welch, L.S., Young, L.C. and Wilkinson, I.F. (1998) ‘The importance of networks in export promotion: policy issues’, Journal of International Marketing 6 (4): 66–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, L.S. and Luostarinen, R. (1993) ‘Inward and outward connections in internationalization’, Journal of International Marketing 1 (1): 46–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W.-P. and Leung, A. (2005) ‘Does a micro-macro link exist between managerial value of reciprocity, social capital and firm performance? The case of SMEs in China’, Asia Pacific Journal of Management 22 (4): 445–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xin, X.R. and Pearce, J.L. (1996) ‘Guanxi: connections as substitutes for institutional support’, Academy of Management Journal 39 (6): 1641–1658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeoh, P.L. (2004) ‘International learning: antecedents and performance implications among newly internationalizing companies in an exporting context’, International Marketing Review 21 (4/5): 511–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, L.M. and Ellis, P. (2000) ‘Insider–outsider perspectives of Guanxi’, Business Horizons 43 (1): 25–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaheer, S. (1995) ‘Overcoming the liability of foreignness’, Academy of Management Journal 38 (2): 341–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaheer, S. and Mosakowski, E. (1997) ‘The dynamics of the liability of foreignness: a global study of survival in financial services’, Strategic Management Journal 18 (6): 439–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A. (2005) ‘A theory of international new ventures: a decade of research’, Journal of International Business Studies 36 (1): 20–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A., Ireland, R.D. and Hitt, M.A. (2000) ‘International expansion by new venture firms: international diversity, mode of market entry, technological learning, and performance’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (5): 925–950.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank with appreciation the Departmental Editor, Professor Nicolai Juul Foss, and three anonymous reviewers who provided valuable and insightful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. The financial support by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong is also acknowledged with gratitude.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lianxi Zhou.

Additional information

Accepted by Professor Nicolai Juul Foss, Departmental Editor, 19 December 2006. This paper has been with the author for three revisions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhou, L., Wu, Wp. & Luo, X. Internationalization and the performance of born-global SMEs: the mediating role of social networks. J Int Bus Stud 38, 673–690 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400282

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400282

Keywords

Navigation