International networks of enterprise cooperation vs local networks

The goal of this article is to demonstrate that international networks of enterprise cooperation, even when they do articulate with local networks, have unique characteristics and differences in comparison with local enterprise networks and should be analyzed without disregarding the characteristics and diminishing the importance of local networks. In this paper we analyze the logical operation of international networks of enterprise cooperation. The analysis stems from the review of diverse empirical and theoretical works related to business cooperation and enterprise networks, as well as the monitoring of eighty-six companies that participated in the Al-Partenariat 2003 encounter in Mexico City. The study of the international networks of enterprise cooperation is important for two reasons: first these networks are means by which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can internationalize, and secondly, international networks could prolong the process of endogenous development promoted by local networks.