INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The research objective of this paper is to study three main internationalization theories in order to formulate the implications of them for Central and Eastern European companies and to test their applicability on internationalization patterns of the local SMEs. The article summarizes three firm-level internationalization theories relevant to CEE companies: Uppsala model, network view and international new venture approach. Typically, the classical international theories are based on the internationalization patterns of firms from developed economies. In the search for potential divergence, each chosen theory is followed by its potential implications for CEE firms as there could be differences given the nature of the origin of the companies coming from transitional, mostly small economies with low resources and negative made-in effect.