Presenting a model for early internationalization of small an‎d medium-sized companies in Iran (case study of companies located in Isfahan province)

1/21/2026 12:00:00 AM

In recent decades, the phenomenon of early internationalization of small an‎d medium-sized enterprises has been raised as a new phenomenon in international entrepreneurship. Traditional traditional models, these companies enter foreign markets in a short time after entering. While this trend is considered one of the factors of economic growth in the world, it has still been less studied in Iran. Considering the economic conditions of the country, including inflation, currency fluctuations, sanctions, an‎d the domestic market, rapid entry into international markets is vital for Iranian firms, as it promotes growth, survival, access to foreign exchange, an‎d increases economic resilience. Therefore, the present study also aims to present a local model of early internationalization of small an‎d medium-sized enterprises in Iran. In the present study, the research method is qualitative an‎d based on content analysis. The data were analyzed through semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs an‎d entrepreneurs active in the field. The findings showed that the process of early internationalization is influenced by several factors including individual characteristics, business resources an‎d capabilities, an‎d environmental factors. These factors were identified in the form of 52 social codes an‎d 10 main codes, which include individual characteristics of entrepreneurs, intra-organizational competencies, environmental factors, networks an‎d communications, bran‎d capabilities, operational infrastructure an‎d capabilities, market opportunities, product value creation values, an‎d resource bricolage. The results of this study, by presenting a comprehensive model of early internationalization of Iranian companies, address the gap in the literature an‎d provide practical guidance for Iranian policymakers, managers, an‎d entrepreneurs to use their capacities to gain a sustainable position in global markets.

بين المللي شدن , بين المللي شدن زودهنگام , شركت هاي كوچك و متوسط

Internationalization , Early internationalization , Small an‎d Medium-Sized Enterprises

Zahra Basiri

Dr. Zakeri_ Dr. Saremi