Networks and Internationalization: Implications for Future Research

The network perspective has developed abundant research to understand how different kinds of ties affect small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) international activities, as we present in this book. In this chapter we summarize the main findings while proposing some future research lines grouped into three main topics: first, the balance between domestic and international networks, or how SMEs can integrate the benefits of their domestic with the international web of relationships with partners. Second, we suggest further studies dealing with how the SME’s stage of internationalization affects the benefits of different kinds of international networks. And finally, we propose some research questions related to the development of green networks and their effects on SME internationalization.