This paper performs a systematic literature review of the undeniably diverse – and somewhat fragmented – current state of research on the collaborations and internationalization of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). We analyze key works and synthesize them into a framework that conceptually maps key antecedents, mediators, and moderators that influence the internationalization of SMEs. In addition, we highlight limitations of the literature, most notably in terms of theoretical fragmentation; extant theories are deployed and illustrated but rarely extended in a manner that significantly informs subsequent work. At an applied (but related) level, we argue the need for supplementary work that explores the distinct stages of internationalization – and the scope and scale of this process – rather than assuming closure around particular events. With this, we highlight the need for more rigorous and empirically informed explorations of contextual effects that take account of the consequences of developments in the global economic ecosystem.

中文翻译：

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中小企业的合作与国际化：系统评价的见解与建议

本文对中小型企业（SME）的协作和国际化的研究现状进行了无可否认的多样性的研究。我们分析关键作品并将其综合到一个框架中，该框架在概念上映射了影响中小企业国际化的关键前提，中介和主持人。另外，我们强调了文献的局限性，最明显的是理论上的分裂。现有的理论得到了部署和说明，但很少以显着影响后续工作的方式进行扩展。在适用（但相关）的层面上，我们认为需要开展补充性工作，以探索国际化的不同阶段-以及此过程的范围和规模-而不是假设围绕某些特定事件进行封闭。