Heterogeneity in Corporate Governance Structures and Advanced Forms of internationalisation in Italian SMEs

Small firms often lack the resources and competences required to implement advanced international strategies. In this paper we investigate, through an empirical research, the role of corporate governance system in providing small firms with the capabilities which are necessary to engage effectively in international business. Results suggest that the heterogeneity in the governance system is a significant explanatory determinant for internationalization strategies and that the environmental context can be assumed in future studies as a moderating variable.