The Roles of Knowledge Generated from the International trade Show Participation on SMEs’ Market Selection

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Somcanae Yodpram
Jantima Banjongprasert

Abstract

               Over the last decade, much research has studied the importance of trade shows in MNEs especially in developed countries. International trade show is considered as a foreign marketing activity in order to gain relevant knowledge on international markets. Despite the critical roles in promoting products and service, international trade show has received little attention in the SMEs’ context. Indeed, SMEs’ international activities and their internationalization process have become one of the most significant international business areas of study in emerging economies. Thus, this study focuses on the roles of knowledge acquired from participating in international trade shows of SMEs. The paper also aims to indicate the influences resulted from different types of knowledge on SMEs international market selection methods, which are expansive and contractible approaches. Based on literature, there are five types of knowledges which are market, product, cultural, competitor, and technological knowledge involving with SMEs’ international market selection. Qualitative interview with a sample of twenty two SMEs was conducted to collect the data. The findings demonstrate that three types of knowledge, which are market, product, and cultural knowledge, play critical roles in SMEs’ international market selection particularly expansive approach. In addition, the findings illustrate that market, product, and competitor knowledge are considered as significant types of knowledge for contractible approach. Two internationalization theories, Uppsala and Resource Based View are used to discuss the findings.

Article Details

Section
Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts

References

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