To be (cap)able to be driven abroad. How subcontractors’ relational capabilities support their internationalization processes

Aim The article focuses on subcontractors' capability of linking to local hubs of internationalized networks and use them as springboards for international markets. The aim of this paper is analyzing the causal relationships between subcontractors' relational capabilities and their degree of internationalization, mediated by subcontractors' network strength ties. Contribution Industrial subcontractors' internationalization processes are typically close related to their customers' ones. However, the research on the active role of subcontractors in creating the conditions to be driven in international markets by their clients is pretty scarce. In order to contribute to fill this gap we create and empirically test a theoretical model. Methodology A multivariate causal model has been tested through structural equation modeling on a sample of 104 Italian subcontracting SMEs. Results Data suggest the positive role of local but internationalized networks in supporting subcontractors' internationalization processes, while, surprisingly, we found that the linkage to localized MNEs can have a negative influence on internationalization outcomes.