SME Internationalisation & Asia

Small firms rarely internationalise through a simple, linear process. They depend on relationships, boards, digital networks, trust and the capacity to learn when partnerships change or fail. My research examines how SMEs build, govern and adapt these connections, particularly when operating from a small and geographically distant economy.

Trust has been a recurring thread in this work. Research on New Zealand firms working with Chinese and other international partners shows how affective and cognitive trust, shared goals, relationship strength and partnership exit shape what firms learn and which opportunities they can pursue. Later work extends this into resilience, board governance, network search and the digital synchronisation of international relationships.

Asia is central to the stream. I am interested in how New Zealand firms enter and operate in Asian markets, mobilise assets of foreignness, navigate institutional differences and connect domestic and international networks. The broader question is how SMEs can use relationships and knowledge across borders without becoming over-dependent on any single partner, market or place.