A Taxonomy of Strategic Postures of International SMEs

This study provides a theoretical analysis of SME strategic postures and presents empirical evidence of strategic types of international SMEs across three European countries, namely Italy, Finland and Greece. Empirical investigation based on a sample of more than 550 international SMEs is performed through cluster analysis. Findings suggest there are four broad strategic types, i.e. the entrepreneurial/growth oriented group of firms, a marketing/selling group of business, a cluster of firms which lack strategic orientation and strategy, and the cluster which focuses on innovation/technology and core manufacturing competencies. The taxonomy provides a description and an explanation of international strategic postures and the basis for theorizing on SMEs’ international behaviour and outcome consequences. Any programs – business- and policy-wise - which aim to stimulate internationalization would benefit greatly from tailoring recommendations to the nature of the strategic types.