Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of the network contract (NC) on the internationalization of Italian firms to evaluate whether and how network characteristics, management perceptions and governance influence firms’ degree of internationalization (DOI). Design/methodology/approach By using the data from a survey of 350 Italian firms that joined a network in 2012, hierarchical regression analyses were applied to test four hypotheses. Findings Network size and diversity as well as management attitudes and perceptions influence firms’ exports. However, only network diversity is positively related to the number of markets in which firms operate. A positive direct effect of network diversity on network managers’ activities and a significantly indirect effect via network managers’ activities also exist. Practical implications Network diversity is crucial for achieving better results in foreign markets. Interacting with diverse network participants can help firms manage diversity, expressed in terms of information, resources and competencies, helping overcome the barriers that hinder the internationalization process. The presence of an efficient network manager should facilitate the achievement of firms’ internationalization objectives. Originality/value This research is one of the first studies to analyze the effects of an Italian NC on firms’ internationalization. From a theoretical standpoint, it adds to the literature a specific analysis that relates primarily to small firms, showing that, in this context, the results are not always consistent with those of prior studies.

中文翻译：

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网络合同与国际化：来自意大利公司的证据

目的本文的目的是了解网络合同（NC）对意大利公司国际化的影响，以评估网络特征，管理观念和治理是否以及如何影响公司的国际化程度（DOI）。设计/方法/方法通过使用对2012年加入网络的350家意大利公司的调查数据，采用层次回归分析来检验四个假设。调查结果网络的规模和多样性以及管理态度和看法会影响企业的出口。但是，只有网络多样性才与公司经营的市场数量成正比。网络多样性对网络管理员活动的积极直接影响以及通过网络管理员活动的显着间接影响也存在。实际意义网络多样性对于在国外市场取得更好的结果至关重要。与多样化的网络参与者进行互动可以帮助公司管理以信息，资源和能力表示的多样性，帮助克服阻碍国际化进程的障碍。高效的网络经理的存在应有助于实现公司的国际化目标。原创性/价值这项研究是分析意大利NC对公司国际化影响的首批研究之一。从理论的角度来看，它向文献中添加了主要与小型公司有关的特定分析，表明在这种情况下，结果并不总是与先前研究的结果一致。