Impact of determinants on early internationalization: An exploratory study of Indian engineering SMEs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of determinants on early internationalization in the context of an emerging economy, i.e. India.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on an ex post facto exploratory research using primary data collected from a sample of 102 exporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangalore.FindingsThe overall results reveal that it is the proactive entrepreneurs and their previous experience that determine the early internationalization of SMEs. Further, competitive constraint was a major obstacle to enter the international market at an early age for late internationalized SMEs.Practical implicationsThe policy initiatives should aim to develop the international orientation of the entrepreneurs in the firm as a precursor for the formulation and subsequent implementation of internationalization strategies.Originality/valueAlthough studies have been conducted on determinants and early internationalization, these are confined to a few dimensions, and none of the studies have looked into the issues affecting the early internationalization holistically and with respect to SMEs in India.