Internationalization of the KARAM Group of Companies:Experiences, Imperatives and Challenges

Statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development indicate that Small and Medium Enterprises account for a substantial proportion of exports from most developing nations. But little is known about the effect of having an international entrepreneurial orientation, or the role of specific strategies associated with it. Encapsulated here is the case of an Indian enterprise manufacturing personal protective equipment that grew from a team of four into a 2500-member organization, with its zeal for quality and innovation. It charts the organization’s international entrenchment over15 years by adopting and adapting to the environment. Highlights how it established corporate governance practices, mentored leaders and grew in stature and profitability. Transformation of product range from Low-Tech (safety nets and traffic cones) to High-Tech (exhaustive range of personal protective equipment) has been chronicled. Findings indicate that ‘Brand India’ needs to improve its perception through commitment to quality.