What is it about?
Sustainability-oriented SMEs face tensions between staying true to their principles and entering foreign markets with different CSR standards. Through interviews with multiple actors, this study shows that different approaches to sustainability shape how these firms international expansion differ from traditional pathways and how they implement CSR practices.
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Why is it important?
Our research indicates that entrepreneurs prioritizing sustainability exhibit a range of behaviors, from narrow to holistic strategies, shaping how SMEs develop their international strategies (such as: market selection, entry methods, and CSR structure). International expansion rarely benefits from a one-size-fits-all approach: SMEs need to weigh social and environmental goals against the varied demands, obstacles, and competition in foreign markets. Key insights include: (a) varying levels of sustainability ambition lead to different strategies abroad, and (b) sustainability-oriented internationalization requires managing tensions, which imply making trade-offs rather than following a straightforward path to sustainability.
Perspectives
Writing this paper was a fun learning experience that laid the foundation for collaboration with colleagues who provided feedback throughout the writing process. This paper sparked discussions with SME managers and ecosystem actors facing sustainability and internationalization challenges. This article is the first step in a larger research project and provides a foundation for future studies across other industries and cultures to better understand these tensions over time.
Oscar CSIBI
Universite Cote d'Azur
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Navigating paradoxes in sustainable SME internationalization, Critical Perspectives on International Business, January 2026, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/cpoib-11-2024-0148.
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