The role of the human capital in the establishment of SME’s International collaborations
International collaborations are increasingly recognized to promote integration of SMEs in the global economy. They allow them to overcome their lack of internal resources but also gain knowledge about foreign markets. However, there are obstacles to their development, that can be overcome through international business experience. The study of Quebec SMEs shows that employees’ international business competencies as well as their international orientation, rather than only the owner-manager’s competencies, promote the establishment of such collaborations. These results show the importance of considering the owner-manager’s human capital and that of his employees, in the study of the determinants of internationalization strategies of SMEs.