Service and service-intensive New Zealand internationalising SMEs

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on service and service-intensive New Zealand-based internationalising firms in respect of their managers’ perceptions towards the usefulness of government assistance. Design/methodology/approach – Interviews were undertaken with the key decision makers in 66 service and service-intensive firms. Findings – Positive perceptions were found relating to government support at a macro-level; for example, Ministerial visits that open opportunities for managers in overseas markets. This was found to enhance micro-level support, such as individual assistance programmes. Originality/value – The contribution is at the public/private sector interaction within the international marketing literature; the area of originality involves the consideration of support at the macro, as opposed to micro-level, as this is an issue that has not received a great deal of coverage in earlier studies. A contextual aspect of originality relates to the study being undertaken with service and service-intensive firms in comparison to the manufacturing sector that has featured heavily in earlier literature.