We do not want to leave: technology in the digital realm, business model innovation and the decline of SMEs global presence

PurposeBy providing a practical and theoretical framework on the role of digitalization in business model innovation (BMI) and countermeasures liabilities of foreignness (LoF), we aim to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from emerging markets with the means to confront the reality of de-internationalization.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative design emphasizing mature theory design and collecting survey data from 210 SMEs in an emerging market. The data are analyzed using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM), multiple regression analysis (MRA) and Hayes' process model.FindingsDigitalization was revealed to significantly and indirectly negatively affect SMEs' de-internationalization via BMI. Besides, the conditional indirect effect of digitalization on de-internationalization through BMI is more robust and exists at the high LoF of SMEs.Originality/valueWe advise SMEs with a distinctive and relatively comprehensive strategy for coping with the pressures of de-internationalization or having their internationalization schedules perpetually altered through the lens of the resource-based view and institution theory.