Summary

The aim of this study is to illustrate the role of networks in the internationalisation process of firms. It discusses the evolution of academic research on firm internationalisation through networks and explains the relationship between the network and the international behaviour of firms as well as presenting the research results. A survey was conducted of 216 internationalised firms, carried out at the turn of 2013 and 2014 on enterprises from all 16 Polish regions. The statistical calculations were made with the use of the statistical software Statistica 10.0. In order to verify the assumed hypothesis the Pearson’s chi-square independence test was applied. The research results lead to conclusions that there is a statistical relation between firms operating in networks and 1) their knowledge about international markets, 2) the strategy type and 3) the main motives/reasons for internationalisation according Dunning’s typology of internationalisation motives (Dunning, 1993). Statistical significance between firms operating in networks and the main motives/reasons for internationalisation according to the OECD internationalisation motive typology (OECD 1997a, 1997b) has not been found