Responses of Exporting SMEs to Institutional Voids: The Case of Lithuania

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the responses of Lithuanian exporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to institutional voids using the typology of strategic responses to institutional processes of Oliver (1991). Study design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research case study method was selected by implementing semi-structured interviews with directors and founders of Lithuanian exporting manufacturing SMEs to collect the primary data. Findings: Drawing on the semi-structured interviews, the study identified responses of the Lithuanian exporting manufacturing SMEs to institutional voids that portrayed two main strategies: acquiesce and avoidance. Originality/value: The results provide contextual contributions exploring firms' strategic responses to institutional voids, identifying the most fatal institutional voids faced by SMEs within the sector.

Keywords

• small and medium enterprises
• SMEs
• institutional voids
• institutional factors
• response strategies