Inés Rosales: The Challenge of Internationalizing a SME´s Activity is Possible

Abstract

Firms should be aware that their market is the world. However, compared to large companies, many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still do not pledge to boost their international activity. This is due not only to their inherent resourcing constrains, but also to the firms’ owners and/or managers’ fears or mental barriers.We present a case study on the successful internationalization of a SME. Moreover, the fact of having overcome an added difficulty stands out: the firm commercializes a food product typically linked to the Spanish culture (olive oil “tortas”). This case aims to promote thinking on the opportunities available to SMEs, showing that it is actually possible for them to surmount the difficult challenge of internationalization.