Internet-enabled value co-creation in SME internationalisation: current practices from the UK food and drink industry

Regardless of its potential benefits, internationalisation in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) is frequently perceived as challenging, if not impossible. Mainly, this is due to the lack of resources and skills required and the level of risk involved. These challenges, however, may now be overcome with the help of improved Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which potentially offer SMEs a quicker and less risky way to internationalise. ICT bring customers and firms closer together and enable them to co-create value and experiences, sharing risk and ensuring potential success. As evidenced in earlier studies, co-creation entails numerous opportunities, yet the subject remains under-researched. This study explores how UK-based SMEs from the food and drink industry leverage internet-enabled value co-creation to internationalise. The study contributes to several research streams, including co-creation, SME internationalisation and food e-marketing, and results in practical value for SMEs in the form of identification of current internet-enabled co-creation practices, approaches and techniques in the context of internationalisation.