Internationalization of companies in industrial clusters: a study of medical, dental and hospital supply industries in Ribeirão Preto – SP

ABSTRACTA trend, both national and international, has been identified in academic research, as well as in business and government. Micro, small and medium sized companies have sought to organize strategic networks of inter-organizational cooperation to be more competitive in their markets or even ensure survival in face of fierce competition arising from globalization. This research investigated relations of the internationalization process that allow these companies to cooperate in industrial clusters and local productive arrangements as opposed to penetration of individual companies in international markets. The method of case study was used to carry out this research. Results show that these companies are very much in favor of the internationalization process, and that this center may now be characterized as an exporter. Inter-organizational cooperation was cited by SEBRAE–SP as extremely important not only for survival of companies monitored, but also for their entry into international markets and increased exports