Strategic Management for SMEs and Networking Intelligence as a facilitator for growth

Abstract: The need to manage an unpredictability and to defuse uncertainties in the market is of great interest for SMEs, especially since many actors are forced to interact almost instantly upon inception. The strategic management of SMEs, within a networking context and through their internationalization process, is the primary focus of this research paper. Building on discoveries from the clean tech industry and facilitators surrounding those actors, the knowledge of firm´s network embeddedness and the importance of a network proficiency for business development is discussed as a point of supply to strategic actions in a highly competitive environment. A conceptual model is constructed, building on existing theories regarding internationalization to further expand current theories regarding networks, entrepreneurial effectuation, International Entrepreneurship (IE), International Business (IB), in order to create an applicability for an industry that is notably influenced by the political sphere. The analysis, stemming from an explorative multiple case study, illustrates the empirical data through the conceptual model. Key findings include that the environment can be said to be partly non-conducive for SMEs international venturings, due to the disruptive nature of the technologies and at times opposing cognitive mindsets. The conclusion points to a general need for an ability to augment a liable position through a mastery within networking realms along with a purposeful cognition, something these authors have labeled a Networking intelligence (NI) in its entirety. NI would, for this reason, be equivalent to obtaining a mastery within three networking dimensions with the additional feed-in mechanism of purposeful cognition. NI would as such constitute an advantage, ultimately leading to firms gaining a greater impact in regards to a commercial development through an internationalization processes. NI would in this regard act as a facilitator for growth, promoting more effective, efficient, and possibly more balanced actions on the international scene. NI would also enable SMEs to mirror the capabilities of an embedded MNC, with its heterogeneous resources.