Connecting Inward and Outward Internationalisation of Malaysian SMEs: A Learning Approach

Nur Izzati binti Mohamad Anuar*, Nik Malini binti Nik Mahdi, Abdullah Al Mamun, Dzulkifli bin Mukhtar, Nursafeda binti Abd Rashid and Symeon Mandrinos
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Nur Izzati binti Mohamad Anuar*: Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Nik Malini binti Nik Mahdi: Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Abdullah Al Mamun: Global Entrepreneurship Research and Innovation Centre (GERIC), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Dzulkifli bin Mukhtar: Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Nursafeda binti Abd Rashid: Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia
Symeon Mandrinos: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak

The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 2018, 264-275 Special Issue: 4

Abstract: When SMEs are part of global value chain, the flows of information in cross-border buyer-supplier relationships which emerge from inward-outward internationalisation connections should be addressed. This study therefore investigates the learning processes of internationalising small and medium enterprises that engage in inward and outward internationalisation. Hence, this study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on ten cases of the internationalising SMEs in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews with the Managing Directors of the selected SMEs were conducted over a two-year period. Additionally, participant observations were conducted by attending the meetings related to import-export activities and documentations were gathered for data triangulation Findings of this study highlights that the relationship with key foreign suppliers empowered case firms to connect inward to outward internationalisation through collaborative knowledge sharing. The distribution of knowledge through tacit-tacit and tacit-explicit knowledge sharing underpinned by formal planning was a prerequisite for inward-outward internationalisation connections to be established.

Keywords: Knowledge acquisition; Knowledge distribution; Knowledge exploitation; Organisational learning; Inward internationalisation; International sourcing; Outward internationalisation; Export; SME. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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