SMEs' dependency on banks during international expansion
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether banks are needed as partners for internationalising small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and, if so, in what ways they affect SMEs. The purpose can, in a wider sense, shed light on institutions' intermediating functions for transactions in the economy, both locally and internationally.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was distributed to Swedish SMEs involved in international activities. A sample of 318 SMEs was used. The results are presented as descriptive statistics and by using t‐tests.
Findings
The findings show that banks are the least used source of information for internationalising SMEs. The results also show that banks do not participate in SME business networks when SMEs are internationalising. SMEs that have been dependent on banks when developing their international business relationships, however, tend to have previously depended on the bank when conducting business.
Practical implications
It is believed there is much to be gained, both for SMEs and banks, in developing their business exchange and reciprocal understanding. The bank can make SME international operations and financial situations flow more efficiently. This in turn may improve SME growth, thus creating more business opportunities between banks and SMEs.
Originality/value
The study fills a gap in the literature and knowledge concerning banks' effects on SMEs' internationalisation.
Keywords
Citation
Lindstrand, A. and Lindbergh, J. (2011), "SMEs' dependency on banks during international expansion", International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 65-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/02652321111101383
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited