ABSTRACT
Born global firms (BGFs) often have limited IT resources, such as insufficient internal IT expertise, few technically skilled employees, tight access to financial capital, and few slack resources. Networks and strategic alliances are key aspects for young businesses such as BGFs in dealing with market and operational challenges arising from the international marketplace. Similarities between network partners, network partners’ skills, and external factors, particularly strong market competition, can bind network partners together and constitute a driver for collaboration in their response to market transformations. Technological advancement has made it possible for modern Small and medium-sized enterprises to access markets that are beyond their immediate boundaries. The 21st century epitomises an era in which international markets are increasingly converging into a common trading arena – a concept often described as globalisation. Competitive conditions arising from globalised markets are disproving traditional beliefs about firm internationalisation which often advocate a stepwise process of engaging in international trade.
