The award-winning research paper “They are like elephants and we are like mice: A study of learning processes in two internationalizing SMEs”, examines how the prior experiences of individual managers influence the internationalization process of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). The results show that the technological knowledge of individual managers enhanced the SMEs initial growth, but not the subsequent growth in foreign markets. During their subsequent growth phase, SMEs require management teams with different skill-sets. The results contribute to broaden the understanding about how international SMEs behave and develop over time. 

The first prize won was the “IMR International Marketing Prize” that is sponsored by the International Marketing Review (IMR) and is awarded for the best paper in the International Marketing track presented at the EIBA Annual Conference. The second Prize, the “European Journal of International Management Prize” was awarded for the best paper in International Management. 

Sara Melén Hånell, Emilia Rovira Nordman and Lars-Gunnar Mattsson all belong to the Center for Market Studies at the Department of Marketing and Strategy. Lars-Gunnar Mattsson’s research focuses on the globalization of companies and markets as well as service innovation and ICTs. Sara Melén Hånell’s and Emilia Rovira Nordman’s research examines the internationalization patterns of small and medium-sized enterprises. The paper is an output of research sponsored by the Swedish Research Council.