From data sources to information sharing in SME collaborative networks supporting internationalization: A socio-semantic approach

Eric Costa, António Lucas Soares, Jorge Pinho de Sousa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Published conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

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Abstract

Information is a crucial asset to successful internationalization, as it allows to reduce risks and uncertainty and to facilitate international expansion. Information about foreign markets and activities can be obtained by companies from internal or external sources, and in formal or informal ways. Industrial business associations (IBAs) are one of the external information sources. Due to their resource constraints, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tend to highly depend on the services and information of IBAs to expand their business overseas. However, to improve their role in supporting SME internationalization, one important development is for IBAs to evolve towards more collaborative networks, by sharing more organized and valued information with their associates, but also by fostering information flows and more collaborations between them. This paper contributes to this view by synthetizing current data and information sources to support SME internationalization, based on a literature review, on interviews with Portuguese IBAs, and on expert opinion. An innovative aspect is to present a first instantiation of a socio-semantic model, opening paths for further developments in this area, and contributing to the community of Collaborative Networks.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCollaboration in a Data-Rich World
EditorsLuis Camarinha-Matos, Hamideh Afsarmanesh, Rosanna Fornasiero
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer International Publishing AG
Pages478-490
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)9783319651507
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event18th IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises - Vicenza, Italy
Duration: 18 Sept 201720 Sept 2017

Publication series

NameIFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
PublisherSpringer
Volume506
ISSN (Print)1868-4238
ISSN (Electronic)1868-422X

Conference

Conference18th IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises
Abbreviated titlePRO-VE 2017
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityVicenza
Period18/09/1720/09/17

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