“…However, the focus of these studies has been limited to the effectuation/causation process of network building (Donbesuur et al, 2022; Gabrielsson et al, 2022; Oliveira & Johanson, 2021; Prashantham et al, 2019) or to SME embeddedness in international networks of trade missions and trade fairs (Puthusserry, Child, & Khan, 2020; Puthusserry, Khan, et al, 2020), thereby disregarding the important role played by international R&D strategic alliances in accessing new knowledge and enhancing innovations (Corsi et al, 2022; Ferraris et al, 2019; Zhao et al, 2021). International R&D strategic alliances can be vital for the post‐entry stage as they enable SMEs to learn about the market and gain access to advanced technology and other business‐related aspects (Johanson & Johanson, 2021; Khan & Lew, 2018), as well as to develop the various sets of learning capabilities and specialized know‐how required for subsequent entry through their alliance partners (Brunetta et al, 2020).…”