With globalisation intensifying, SMEs and SBEs are not only becoming aware of new opportunities but they also have to deal with new challenges. This is particularly true for the SBEs that do business internationally. While most SBEs survive with the fear of new and emergent entrants in their domestic markets, globalisation has opened up new opportunities for them to enter new, emerging and growing markets. Efficient use of economic resources, modern technology and good managerial skills are no longer the sufficient conditions for the success of SBEs trading locally and/or internationally.

This study aims to contribute to small enterprise research by investigating if networking had a role for SBEs as they traded internationally. This study focuses on examining the role of networking, particularly business networking, and the impact it has on the SBEs’ efforts to do business internationally.