Abstract
The study analyzes the issue of internationalization of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises and the difficulties they face because of the Covid19 pandemic. The definition of internationalization and its many forms are discussed in their significance for the competitiveness and development of SMEs. There is not abundant research on how Italian SMEs are coping with this process, although extensive studies have been conducted on internationalization. By examining the main variables that promote and hinder the internationalization of Italian SMEs, this research seeks to fill this gap. The study contributes to affirming the indispensability of the relationship between the enterprise and the foreign context in which it wants to enter. Without the construction of a solid relational network, the resources employed, while potentially capable of generating a sustainable competitive advantage, cannot guarantee the success of the internationalization strategy. The literature review, methodology, empirical findings and conclusions, including managerial and institutional implications, compose the research.