New Product Development and the Challenges of Internationalization

The internationalization of firms has reached levels never seen before. As a consequence and in order to face the new competitive challenges of globalized markets, industrial small and medium-sized enterprises must be able to adapt to new organizational approaches, to innovate and to further develop their networks. Based on a case study, this chapter reviews the literature on internationalization and networks and addresses a less researched topic of supplier-clients relationships in the value chain referring to the importance of the networks, resources and collaborative new product development on the internationalization process of firms. The case reports a successful ex-small technical textile company that leveraged its competitive strategy based on technology-based paths and is thriving in both domestic and international markets.