An Insight into Greek Smes’ Internationalization Behavior

Abstract

The current study examines the internationalization behavior of Greek SMEs, considering internationalization activities as a means towards enhanced competitiveness, and in particular, the determinants of foreign direct investment and location selection decisions. To this end, the study identifies and analyzes factors that affect Greek SMEs’ decisions when they adapt the foreign direct investment internationalization approach, drawing on the Foreign Direct Investments literature and the OLI Paradigm with an emphasis on location. More specifically, the study focuses on countries that internationalize in the regions of Western Europe and the Balkan area, examining motives that these firms are driven by in such decisions with regard to location selection criteria.