Digitalisation as an accelerator for SMEs internationalisation... Digital capabilities as fuel!
Early internationalizing firms (EIF) remain the object of much curiosity in the international business landscape. Indeed, these companies follow a higher international speed than traditional SMEs, and therefore seem to generate greater growth rate in the short term. Among the factors that can explain their success on the market, we can cite the use of digital tools that seem to facilitate their internationalization process. However, today, many questions remain when it comes to the capabilities needed to interact with these tools. This study therefore aims to explore the link between the EIF’s speed of internationalization and the digital capabilities. Thus, we highlight the existence of three main digital capabilities: digital analytical capabilities, digital operational capabilities, and digital international marketing capabilities. Finally, we propose a model representing the links between each of these capabilities and the related dynamics.