Emerging market SMEs’ internationalization enablers and their influence on internationalization patterns: the case of Turkish automotive suppliers

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets (EMs) are increasingly engaging in internationalization despite facing resource constraints and institutional barriers. However, there is limited understanding of how internationalization enablers influence internationalization patterns in these contexts. We investigate how networks, strategic entrepreneurship, and government support shape the speed, scope, and scale of internationalization among EM SMEs. Analyzing Turkish SMEs in the automotive supplier industry, we adopt a multiple case study approach to examine how they mobilize internal and external enablers under conditions of institutional duality and market volatility. Our findings reveal that institutional and business networks accelerate initial market entry and broaden geographic reach, while social networks play only a marginal role. Strategic entrepreneurship, particularly through frugal innovation, learning, and alliances, enables firms to expand and sustain international operations over time. Government support mechanisms, such as trade fair subsidies and export grants, play a critical role in reducing entry barriers and extending foreign market reach, although their effect on scale remains limited.