INTERNATIONALIZATION THROUGH ENGAGEMENT OF NETWORK AND PARTNERSHIPS: THE CASE OF FRENCH "BORN-GLOBAL" IN EMERGING MARKETS

This studyaims to understand the challenges French SMEs face while internationalizing in emerging countries, a topical issue in the current globalized economic context. We focus on the importance of their leaders' network, as well as the inception of partnerships with local businesses during the Born-Global SME's expansion in emerging markets, characterized as both opportune and risky. Based on an exploratory study of three companies, our results show that a Born-Global SME's competitive advantage stems from the creation of two networks, personal and professional, and from the establishment of partnerships characterized by long-term vision and win-win relationships.