Biljana Crnjak-Karanović

Cognitive and Information-Based Capabilities in the Internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: The Case of Croatian Exporters

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of information and cognitive‐based capabilities on the international performance as the main rationale behind successful internationalization. The study was conducted on a sample of 125 Croatian exporting small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and results indicate that there is a significant influence of the cognitive and information‐based capabilities on the SME export performance. The results implicate the role of cognitive complexity as a platform for successful processing of foreign market intelligence which has value‐added impact on the SMEs export performance.

Global mindset – A cognitive driver of small and medium-sized enterprise internationalization: The case of Croatian Exporters

Purpose – Global mindset has gained the respectable attention of international business scholars. Global mindset is a multidisciplinary concept comprised of cognitive and cultural dimensions which both influence the international behavior and decision making of the firm. The key purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that global mindset is a crucial cognitive driver of the small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) internationalization process. In order to do so, it aims to establish the link between global mindset and export performance outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – Using a literature review, the conceptual model was developed. Data were obtained through survey questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling on the sample of 121 exporting SMEs in Croatia.Findings – Findings of this study suggest that global mindset is positively, directly and significantly related to the export performance. Furthermore, the link between global mindset and export performance was assessed ...

The Export Market Orientation-export performance relationship in emerging markets: the case of Croatian SME exporters

The subject of Export Market Orientation (EMO) and its link to export performance has gained significant interest among international marketing academia lately. The findings of this study suggest that the EMO concept can be applied in the SME context – an issue that was neglected in earlier research efforts. Further, EMO activities significantly influence the EP of SMEs in the context of Croatian SME exporters. The SMEs operating in foreign markets should embrace EMO activities (intelligence generation, dissemination and responsiveness) as the drivers of a successful internationalisation process.

NEW REALITIES OF THE SME INTERNATIONALIZATION: A CAPABILITY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract This paper deals with an analysis of the internationalization process of Croatian SME exporters. The traditional theory of internationalization suggests that the firm gradually develops an international presence. On the contrary, born global approach indicated that firms can internationalize instantly on a full scale by avoiding incremental steps. However the born global approach to internationalization confirmed that, besides informational and resource based perspective, intangible assets (capabilities) should be assessed. Global mindset represents a viable latent capability of exporting firm, especially the SME. The findings suggest that a significant relationship between global mindset and export market orientation exists suggesting that managerial cognition fosters effective export marketing activity.