Processi di internazionalizzazione e sistemi di PMI nell'Economia della conoscenza : un'esplorazione empirica integrata a livello regionale

The analysis of the main theories on the process of internationalization of SMEs highlights multiple perspectives of interpretation. Each one focuses on what it believes to be a key determinant of international involvement, form resources/skills availability to relationships, from management capabilities to the risk appetite of the entrepreneur, and assesses the implications for the process of expanding into foreign markets, the benefits in terms of competitiveness and its chances of success. However, what you can easily find out by literature review is that a more or less complex learning and organizational process existence represents the base of the growth path of SMEs. A knowledge based perspective allows to model the path of business growth based on the capacity to exploit the knowledge within the organization and the ability to acquire and manage knowledge outside the company through a systematic process of exploration, associated with positive externalities resulting from an increased international involvement. The empirical analysis on a sample of micro and small enterprises in Emilia Romagna is developed at the macro level, in order to study the relationship between internationalization, knowledge and performance by assessing the cause and effect link and at the micro level, with the aim to identify policy recommendations that allow improve the approach of SME to internationalization process and define the role of other actors of the territory (banks, private and public associations, region and State)