La formazione per l'internazionalizzazione delle piccole e medie imprese

The research aims to answer the following questions: what are the barriers to internationalisation and to training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? What kind of training can effectively support the internationalisation process? These research topics were developed from a conceptual framework and supported by literature and empirical researches in Europe and Italy. The hypothesis that have arisen is that SMEs face obstacles to internationalisation also because they lack the human resources required to face these processes and training can be an effective tool to support the internationalisation of SMEs as it helps to develop the skills of decision-makers and increase the human capital needed in these processes; which require change and innovation. These hypothesis have been verified by means of two quali-quantitative surveys. The first one concerns a research on the internationalisation of SMEs promoted by the employer’s association Confindustria Lombardia. The second one concerns the analysis of a training course for entrepreneurs for the internationalisation and innovation of SMEs organized by the University of Bergamo in Lombardy. The research has shown that the company size is not indicative in itself of a low attitude towards internationalisation and training; but is a variable that helps to determine the tangible and intangible resources available. Training can be an effective answer to overcome the lack of human capital if it is based on a skill and training needs analysis; and considering company size; activity sector and mode of internationalisation; which are indicators of the intensity and type of difficulties in internationalisation and can provide useful guidelines for training design.