Research Article Published 15 December 2013

Owner Specific Factors, Firm Specific Factors, Internationalisation and Performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka: A Conceptual Framework

How to Cite

How to Cite

Mudalige, D., Ismail, N. A., & Dassanayaka, S. (2013). Owner Specific Factors, Firm Specific Factors, Internationalisation and Performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka: A Conceptual Framework. Journal of Business Management and Accounting, 3(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.32890/jbma2013.3.0.8882
Dharshana Mudalige
University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Sri Lanka
Noor Azizi Ismail
OYA Graduate School of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
Sarath Dassanayaka
OYA Graduate School of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
Full text
PDF View full text 477 KB · 25 pages XML JATS full text 110 KB · machine readable HTML Read online 68 KB
DOI 10.32890/jbma2013.3.0.8882 Cite this article
Share this article
Citations
1
OpenAlex, highest of the sources checked
Reads
332 +2
Abstract + full text
Downloads
256 +2
PDF and XML
Percentile
89th
By citations, works of the same year

Article

Abstract

As SMEs are internationalising at a faster rate today, theories that can explain SME internationalisation and performance are of extreme importance. At present there is no agreement among scholars on a single theoretical framework on SME internationalisation and performance. The literature suggested that contemporary firm performance is not associated with traditional factors. However, firm internationalisation and SME performance seem to be directly associated with unobservable owner and firm factors. However the literature indicated that past research does not conclusively prove the complex impact of owner or firm specific factors on SME internationalisation and performance. To fill this research gap, a conceptual framework that explains the relationship between internationalisation and performance was developed based on internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and organisational learning theories. Owner specific factors and firm specific factors in the conceptual framework are brand orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and industry context respectively. In addition, this framework expands the scope of study in internationalisation-performance relationship by considering the moderating effect of organisational learning. Five hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between the variables in the conceptual framework. The outcome of this research can enhance the understanding of SME internationalisation process and provide some insights for policy makers, and SME owners and managers.

Keywords
Entrepreneurship orientation Brand orientation SME Internationalisation Organisational learning

Metrics & impact

Citations by source

Harvested 15-09-2026

Counts differ by index because each source crawls a different corpus. Crossref counts only registered reference lists; Google Scholar includes theses, preprints and grey literature.

OpenAlex
1
Open corpus, updated daily View →
OpenCitations
1
Open references only View →
Crossref
1
Deposited reference lists only View →
Scopus
0 Not indexed
Indexed titles only View →
Google Scholar
Publishes no citation count that can be read automatically.
Includes theses and preprints Search →
Dimensions
Publishes no citation count that can be read automatically.
Includes policy documents Search →

Citations over time

New citations recorded in each year, as reported by OpenAlex.

1
0
0
0
0
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Reads & downloads

Abstract views 332
PDF downloads 256
XML downloads 0
Full-text HTML 0
Counted under COUNTER Release 5 rules; known robots excluded.

Attention beyond citation

Citation percentile 89th
Field-weighted citation impact 0.21
Works this article cites 70

From OpenAlex. A field-weighted impact of 1.00 is the world average for work of the same field, type and year. No Altmetric key is configured, so news, policy and social attention are not shown.

Identifiers
DOI · 10.32890/jbma2013.3.0.8882
OpenAlex · W2600850027

References

References 89
Deposited to Crossref with the article DOI
  1. Abimbola, T., & Vallaster, C. (2007). Brand, organisational identity and reputation in SMEs: an overview. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 10(4), 341–348. doi:10.1108/13522750710819685.
  2. Anderson, O. (1993). On the Internationalisation Process of Firms : A Critical Analysis. Journal of International Business Studies, 24(2), 209–231.
  3. Argyris, C. and Schon, D. (1978), Organisational Learning: A Theory of Action Perspective, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.
  4. Autio, E. (2000). Effects of age at entry, knowledge intensity, and imitability on international growth. Academy of Management, 43(5), 909–924.
  5. Axinn, C. N., & Matthyssens, P. (2002). Limits of internationalisation theories in an unlimited world. International Marketing Review, 19(5), 436–449. doi:10.1108/02651330210445275.
  6. Baba, R. (2011). Entrepreneurial orientation of SMEs in Labuan and its effects on performance.
  7. Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. (Anonymous, Ed.). Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. doi:10.1177/014920639101700108.
  8. Basly, S. (2007). The internationalisation of family SME: An organisational learning and knowledge development perspective. Baltic Journal of Management, 2(2), 154–180. doi:10.1108/17465260710750973.
  9. Beal, R.M. (2000). Competing effectively: Environmental scanning, competitive strategy and organisational performance in small manufacturing firms. Journal of Small Business Management, 38(1), January, 27-47.
  10. Beamish, P.W. (1990). The Internationalisation Process for Smaller Ontario firms: A Research Agenda. International Business Research for the 21st Century: Canada’s New Research Agenda. Greenwich, JAI Press.
  11. Bridson, K., & Evans, F. (2004). The secret to a fashion advantage is brand orientation. International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 32(8), 403–411.
  12. Bloodgood, J. M., Sapienza, H. J., & Almeida, J. G. (1996). The internationalisation of new high potential US new ventures. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 20(4), 61–76.
  13. Beck, T., Demirguc-Kunt, A., & Levine, R. (2005). SMEs, Growth, and Poverty: Cross-Country Evidence. Journal of Economic Growth, 10(3), 199–229. doi:10.1007/s10887-005-3533-5.
  14. Bell, J. (1995). The internationalisation of small computer software firms: A further challenge to “stage” theories. European Journal of Marketing, 29(8), 60–75. doi:10.1108/03090569510097556.
  15. Bell, J., Crick, D., & Young, S. (2004). Small Firm Internationalisation and Business Strategy: An Exploratory Study of “Knowledge-Intensive” and “Traditional” Manufacturing Firms in the UK. International Small Business Journal, 22(1), 23–56. doi:10.1177/0266242604039479.
  16. Boyd, B. K., Gove, S., & Hitt, M. A. (2005). Construct measurement in strategic management research: Illusion or reality? Strategic Management Journal, 26, 239–257.
  17. Brown, T. E., Davidsson, P., & Wiklund, J. (2001). An operationalisation of Stevenson’s conceptualization of entrepreneurship as opportunity-based firm behaviour. Strategic Management Journal, 22, 953–968. doi:10.1002/smj.190.
  18. Cateora, P. R., Gilly, M. C., & Graham, J. L. (2010). International Marketing (14th ed.), McGraw-Hill Publications.
  19. Chiao, Y.-C., Yang, K.-P., & Yu, C.-M. J. (2006). Performance, Internationalisation, and Firm-specific Advantages of SMEs in a Newly-Industrialized Economy. Small Business Economics, 26(5), 475–492. doi:10.1007/s11187-005-5604-6.
  20. Clercq, D. De. (n.d.). Interantionalistion of smes:the role of organisational learning effort and entrepreneurial orientation. Small Business Economics, 0–28.
  21. Dassanayaka, S. W. S. (2011). Global Challenges for SMEs in Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Comparative Perspectives. Business Review, 6(1), 61–81.
  22. Daud, S., & Ghani, N. (2013). A review of branding benefits among SMEs, Proceedings from Conference on Business Management Research, College of Business, UUM
  23. Davidsson, P. (2004). Researching Entrepreneurship. Boston, MA: Springer
  24. Dunning, J. H. (1988). Paradigm of international the eclectic production: A restatement and some possible extensions. Journal of International Business Studies, 19(1), 1–31.
  25. Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25–32.
  26. Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2000). Dynamic capabilities: what are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21(10-11), 1105–1121. doi:10.1002/1097-0266(200010/11)21:10/11<1105::AID-SMJ133>3.0.CO;2-E.
  27. Fernhaber, S. A., Mcdougall, P. P., & Oviart, B. M. (2007). Exploring the Role of Industry Structure in New Venture Internationalisation. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/cob_papers/91.
  28. Flores, L. G., Zheng, W., Rau, D., & Thomas, C. H. (2010). Organisational Learning: Subprocess Identification, Construct Validation, and an Empirical Test of Cultural Antecedents. Journal of Management, 38(2), 640–667. doi:10.1177/0149206310384631.
  29. Force, T. (2002). National strategy for SME sector development in Sri Lanka. White Paper.
  30. George, G., & Zahra, S. A. (2002). International Entrepreneurship: The Current Status of the Field and Future Research Agenda. Review Article, 1–50.
  31. Gibb, A. A. (1993). Enterprise culture and education: Understanding enterprise education and its links with small business entrepreneurship and wider educational goals. International Small Business Journal, 11(3 April-June), 11-34.
  32. Harwll, M. (n.d.). Research Design in Qualitative/Quantitative/Mixed Methods (pp. 147–182).
  33. Hashim, M. (2008). Emerging issues in SMEs, Universiti Utara Malaysia Press.
  34. Hennart, J.-F. (2007). The Theoretical Rationale for a Multi-nationality-Performance Relationship. Management International Review, 47(3), 423–452.
  35. Henon, C. K. (2010). The Internationalisation of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises from Argentina.
  36. Holmquist, C. (1996). Industry characteristics and processes in small firms. Journal of Business Venturing, 11, 471–487.
  37. Hsu, C., & Pereira, A. (2008). Internationalisation and performance: The moderating effects of organisational learning. Omega - The International Journal of Management Science, 36(2), 188–205. doi:10.1016/j.omega.2006.06.004.
  38. Hughes, M., & Morgan, R. E. (2007). Deconstructing the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and business performance at the embryonic stage of firm growth. Industrial Marketing Management, 36,651-661.
  39. Hymer (1960). The International Operations of National Firms: A Study of Direct investment, Doctoral dissertation, Mass. Institute of Technology, 1960.
  40. Javalgi, R. (Raj) G., & Todd, P. R. (2011). Entrepreneurial orientation, management commitment, and human capital: The internationalisation of SMEs in India. Journal of Business Research, 64(9), 1004–1010. doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2010.11.024.
  41. Johanson, J., & Mattsson, G. (1988). Internationalisation in industrial systems–A Network approach. Strategies in Global Competition. New York: Croom Helm, 287–314.
  42. Johanson, J., & Vahlne, E. (1977). Summaries of significant current articles. Journal of International Business Studies, 19–22.
  43. Jun-ying, L. (2010). A study on the relationship of organisational learning, strategic change and organisational performance. 2010 International Conference on Management Science and Engineering 17th Annual Conference Proceedings, 470–476. doi:10.1109/ICMSE.2010.5719846.
  44. Kalinic, I., & Forza, C. (2012). Rapid internationalisation of traditional SMEs: Between gradualist models and born globals. International Business Review, 21(4), 694–707. doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2011.08.002.
  45. Kauppinen, A., & Juho, A. (2012). Internationalisation of SMEs from the perspective of social learning theory. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 10(3), 200–231. doi:10.1007/s10843-012-0093-6.
  46. Knight, G. (2001). Entrepreneurship and strategy in the international SME. Journal of International Management, 7(3), 155–171. doi:10.1016/S1075-4253(01)00042-4.
  47. Knight, G. A., & Cavusgil, S. T. (2004). Innovation, Organisational Capabilities, and the Born-Global Firm. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(2), 124–141.
  48. Kobrin, S. J. (1991). An empirical analysis of the determinants of global integration. Strategic Management Journal, 12, 17-31.
  49. Krejcie, R., & Morgon, D. (1970), Determining sample size for research. Education and Psychological Management, 30, 607-610.
  50. Kumar, D. (2012). Factors Wavering Internationalisations of SMEs: Indian Context. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 4(3), 142–158.
  51. Lu, J. W., & Beamish, P. W. (2001). The internationalisation and performance of SMEs. Strategic Management Journal, 22(6-7), 565–586. doi:10.1002/smj.184.
  52. Lumpkin, G. T., & Dess, G. (1996). The entrepreneurial clarifying it construct and linking orientation. The Academy of Management Review, 21(1), 135–172.
  53. Matzler, K., & Renzl, B. (2007). Assessing asymmetric effects in the formation of employee satisfaction. Tourism Management, 28(4), 1093–1103. doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2006.07.009.
  54. Mcarthur, D. (2012). Advances in global business. In Ninth World Congress of the Academy for Global Business Advancement (AGBA) (Vol. 9).
  55. McAuley, A. (2010). Looking back, going forward: Reflecting on research into the SME internationalisation process. Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 21–41. doi:10.1108/14715201011060858
  56. Mcdougall, P., & Oviatt, B. M. (2000). International entrepreneurship: The intersection of two research paths. Academy of Management, 43(5), 902–906.
  57. Mcdougall, P. P., & Oviatt, B. M. (1996). New venture internationalisation, strategic change, and performance: A follow-up study. Journal of Business Venturing, 11, 23–40.
  58. Minniti, M., & Bygrave, W. (2001). A dynamic model of entrepreneurial learning. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 25, 5–16.
  59. Moreno, A. M., & Casillas, J. C. (2008). Entrepreneurial Orientation and Growth of SMEs: A Causal Model. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 507–529.
  60. Moullin, M. (2003). Defining Performance Measurement. Perspectives on Performance 2(2), 3.
  61. Mudambi, R., & Zahra, S. A. (2007). The Survival of International New Ventures Ram Mudambi and Shaker A. Zahra. Journal of International Business Studies, 38(2), 333–352.
  62. Organisation for SME and Regional Innovation, J. (2012). Organisation for SME Support and Regional Innovation.
  63. Oviatt, B., & Mcdougall, P. P. (1994). Toward a theory of international new ventures. Journal of International Business Studies, 1st Q, 45–64.
  64. Oviatt, B. M., & Mcdougall, P. P. (2005). Defining International Entrepreneurship and Modeling the Speed of Internationalisation. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, (April), 537–553.
  65. Pangerl, S. (2013). Obstacles to sme growth in Peru: An empirical analysis of the effect of labor constraints on firm performance.
  66. Paunovi, Z., & Prebe, D. (2010). Internacionalisacija poslovanja malih i srednjih poduzeća internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises. Trziste, 22.
  67. Piech, K. (2004). the knowledge-based economy in transition countries. IJEBR, Selected issue, 456–487.
  68. Ponnamperuma, E. N. S. (2000). SMEs in competitive Markets. Asian Productivity Organisation, Country Paper, 296–313. Tokyo.
  69. Qian, G. (2002). Multinationality, Product Diversification, and Profitability of Emerging US Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises. Journal of Business Venturing, 17, 611–633.
  70. Rialp, A., Rialp, J., Urbano, D., & Vaillant, Y. (2005). The Born-Global Phenomenon: A Comparative Case Study Research. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 3(2), 133–171.
  71. Richard, P. J., & Johnson, G. (2009). Measuring Organisational Performance as a Dependent Variable: Towards Methodological Best Practice. Journal of Management, 35(3).
  72. Ruigrok, W., & Wagner, H. (2003). Internationalisation and Performance: An Organisational Learning Perspective. Management International Review, 43(1), 63–83.
  73. Rygl, D., & Fillis, I. (2013). 2013 Editor Comments, EURAM Conference.
  74. Santos, J. B., & Brito, L. (2012). Toward a Subjective Measurement Model for Firm Performance. Brazillian Administration Review, 9(Special issue), 95–117.
  75. Sapienza, H. J., De Clercq, D., & Sandberg, W. R. (2005). Antecedents of international and domestic learning effort. Journal of Business Venturing, 20(4), 437–457. doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2004.03.001.
  76. Sciascia, S., Mazzola, P., Astrachan, J. H., & Pieper, T. M. (2010). The role of family ownership in international entrepreneurship: exploring nonlinear effects. Small Business Economics, 38(1), 15–31. doi:10.1007/s11187-010-9264-9. Škrinjar, R., Bosilj-Vukšic, V., & Indihar-Štemberger, M. (2008). The impact of business process orientation on financial and non-financial performance. Business Process Management Journal, 14(5), 738–754. doi:10.1108/14637150810903084.
  77. Sleuwaegen, L., & Goedhuys, M. (2002). Growth of firms in developing countries. Journal of Development Economics, 68, 117–135.
  78. Smallbone, D. (2001). The Role of Government in SME Development in Transition Economies. International Small Business Journal, 19(4), 63–77. doi:10.1177/0266242601194004.
  79. Stevenson, H. H., & Jarillo, J. C. (1990). A paradigm of entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial management. Strategic Management Journal, 11, 17–27.
  80. Stokes, D., & Wilson, N. (2006). Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship (5th ed.). Thomas Learning, London.
  81. Sullivan, D. (1994). Measuring the degree of internationalisation of a firm. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(2), 325–342.
  82. Summary of the Proceedings. (2013). In 6 th South Asia Economic Summit (pp. 1–7).
  83. Taylor, M., & Jack, R. (2012). Understanding the pace, scale and pattern of firm internationalisation: An extension of the “born global” concept. International Small Business Journal, 31(6), 701–721. doi:10.1177/0266242611431992.
  84. Thorpe, R., Holt, R., Macpherson, A., & Pittaway, L. (2005). Using knowledge within small and medium-sized firms: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 7(4), 257–281. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2370.2005.00116.x.
  85. Vijayakumar, S. (2013). The role of small and medium enterprises (industrial sector) in changing poverty status in Sri Lanka.
  86. Wickremesooriya, L. (2003). SME Internationalisation: The role of Top Management Team characteristics, Entrepreneurial Orientation and Learning Orientation of the Firm.
  87. Wijesinghe, J. C., Foreman, J., & Ten, E. (2011). Conducting Research in South Asian Small and Medium Enterprises : Questions about Methods. In ICBI, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Sri Jayawardanapura.
  88. Wong, H. Y., & Merrilees, B. (2005). A brand orientation typology for SMEs: a case research approach. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 14(3), 155–162. doi:10.1108/10610420510601021.
  89. Zafarullah, M., & Ali, M. (1998). The Internationalisation of the Small Firm in Developing Countries — Exploratory Research from Pakistan. Journal of Global Marketing, 11(3), 21. doi:10.1300/J042v11n03.