The Internationalization Process of Indonesian SMEs Using the Uppsala Model, Network Theory and International Entrepreneurship Theory

This paper intends to determine the specific roles of the Uppsala Model, Network Theory and the International Entrepreneurship Theory in describing, explaining and guiding the process of internationalization of Indonesian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as to identify which aspects of the three theories are most important to the internationalizatian of Indonesian SMEs. Generating the data and the findings necessitated the employment of a duly validated researcher-made questionnaire intended for the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of selected Indonesian SMEs complemented with an actual documentary interview with the said CEOs. Consequently, the data generated therein were interpreted using descriptive statistics and in-depth qualitative method of analysis. Initial results from the floated questionaires revealed that conventional Indonesian
manufacturing SMEs still prefer the Uppsala Model as export entry mode for internationalization while SMEs engaged in information technology and franchising jointly engage the Network Theory and International Entrepreneurship Theory as entry modes for internationalization.