Factors affecting SMEs' internationalization in fruit and vegetable sector: evidence from Kosovo

Abstract

The implementation of internationalization strategies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has become a crucial factor in their efforts to expand their operations and penetrate foreign markets. This study investigates the situation of SMEs of fruits and vegetable sector in Kosovo, the importance of implementation of internationalization strategies, and barriers to their internationalization in particular. The existing literature for the topic in hand has been used to support the development of questionnaire which has been distributed to SMEs of fruits and vegetable sector in Kosovo. A total of 85 responses were generated, after two weeks of data collection. The results have been illustrated in charts and figures, and thoroughly analyzed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Overall, the results reveal that factors affecting SMEs’ internationalization of fruits and vegetable sector in Kosovo are mainly related to finance, internal capabilities, lack of required expertise and knowledge.