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Problem: The information-supply for companies that venture abroad is greater than ever before, however, the sort of information available is seldom exhaustive. Much of the information a company needs when venturing out on a new market can not be accessed on the market, but the knowledge needed is developed in the cooperation with other actors. Therefore, this thesis has come to focus on whether access to knowledge is a core driver in the success of international business. Purpose: Against a background of companies’ need of knowledge and networks when venturing abroad, the purpose of this thesis is to describe the strategic operations of the Swedish Trade Council on the American market, in relation to their cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Washington D.C. This, to be able to assess if this type of cooperation creates efficiency and effectiveness, in the objective to offer Swedish companies market information and a vast network abroad. Method: A literary research-summary was made by the author to gain knowledge in the field of internationalization, knowledge, and networks. As the primary source of information, the author conducted a number of interviews, which in turn was analyzed in relation to the academic theories within the field. Based upon this information further research was conducted and additional information sought to gain a deeper understanding for the issue of the study, so that the author would be able to describe the entity in relation to its context Result: The problem comes down to how to make the right knowledge available for the companies, and that problem increases in the lack of contacts with information that is not obtainable out on the market. Active relationships within networks, such as the one STC has with the embassy, are crucial. It gives them the opportunity to act as a broker, creating a leverage for the companies the serve, through the knowledge and network they can provide them on the foreign market.

Nowadays global market is quite attractive for high competition environment.  First is to reduce risks and uncertainties of the business in their home countries. Second is to exploit the growing global market for goods and services which can lead to economies of scale and the increasing of market share. In order to be visible in global market, brands can be used to play an important role. From marketing point of view, brands are the means that consumers use to distinguish products and services based on essential and non-essential attributes and they are a source of business’s differential advantage. Furthermore, brands communicate tangible and intangible advantages and are attractive to a range of feeling. In order to make decisions for brand strategy, branding plays an important role. Critical advantage of branding is for product identification, and it is also the key element for marketers to differentiate a product from its rivals. However, branding provides many benefits apart from identification and differentiation of products

The effects of globalization have changed the global market rules which encourage many firms to expand their sales to foreign markets with the aim of entering new and potential profitable market. OnDemand Group (ODG) ‚ UK Based Company that focuses on content management on the platforms of operators’ music and video‚ has already seen the advantages by entering 24 different country markets and now by entering to Dubai market which is the opportunity for ODG to move to Middle East market. However‚ the internationalization process is a long process for the firms. The firms must choose the right market, right entry modes, target markets to benefit from opportunities, design new global marketing program, and find appropriate ways to implement that program in each market. In this thesis‚ we mainly focused on implementation of global marketing program‚ because‚ regional differences due to different preferences of other markets can be a shortcoming for ODG for the creation and implementation of global marketing program in Dubai. Our aim is to understand how OnDemand Group marketing program accommodate these differences, and what changes they are making in the marketing program and organizations to reach the new potential markets and broadband operators in Middle East close to United Arab Emirates market. To find out the answers for our research question related with global marketing program‚ Qualitative method is used in our study. Qualitative method in this research will aim to collect both primary data through e−mail and phone interview, and secondary data related with ODG is obtained through ODG website and relevant reports, academic journals, university database, books and relevant websites. In conclusion, we clearly observe that many aspects of the global marketing program remained unchanged, and there are many processes that are even standardized like some processes in the operations and the strategic management models by headquarters. However when it comes for the end customer services offered by ODG, there are a quite high level of customization between different regions and countries. In real practice, we find this applicable even for simple product companies that offer some level of services. .

A significant problem in the construction industry is the losses sustained as a result of the theft of tools and equipment from construction sites. The case study company, referred to as PSS, have successfully developed and commercialized a technological solution to prevent such theft within Sweden. The next step in the commercialization of PSS is to seek growth and leverage their investment and innovation. Our purpose is to undertake a UK market analysis, in order to investigate if PSS's business model has opportunities in the UK, and recommend how PSS might approach internationalization, using a resource based perspective. PSS’s existing business model has been developed to fit the Swedish market conditions, and has been demonstrated to perform. We find market conditions in the UK are similar, albeit in greater proportions. The nature of the problem, the industry structures, and the competitive environment is similar to the domestic conditions, and the competitive position of PSS is replicable, with a high level of strategic fit. We recommend PSS pursue its desire to internationalize to the UK based on similarity of the fit with the local market (which has been demonstrated to result in acceptable performance). We would recommend entry through a sales subsidiary to facilitate the establishment of customer relationships. In addition a possible license agreement with a partner may help to facilitate speedy access to UK distribution industry networks.

This dissertation focuses on the challenges that arise when the SMEs enter into an international market (Internationalization) and adopting international product strategy to survive in foreign market. To be able to gain better understanding of the subject, research questions concerning the challenges faced during internationalization by SMEs from product adaptation and standardization perspective. Challenges in internationalization have been categorized into internal and external challenges. Internal challenges deals with firm specific while external challenges arise from country and industry specific factors. At the same time international product strategy counting product adaptation and standardization has been discussed. The empirical data includes case study of one Swedish company manufacturing assistive listening devices (hearing equipment for hearing impaired people) situated in Halmstad, Sweden. Findings shows that the main challenges in internationalization are socio cultural differences and inadequate knowledge about the foreign market while laws and regulations regarding frequency standards issues are most challenging in international product strategy.

Title: The influence of network relationships in the internationalization of SMEs   Authors: Andersson, Arvid & Helander, Anna     Tutor: Karlsson, Tomas     Date: June, 2009   Background: The world has become globalized, resulting in a rapid increase in international trade. Also many SMEs actively internationalize. At the same time, networks are increasingly replacing traditional markets. In the internationalization process of SMEs it has through research been confirmed that firms are influenced by network relationships in their internationalization process. Problem: Choice of foreign market and market entry mode are crucial decisions SMEs make in their internationalization process. It has been found that network relationships affect SMEs in these decisions. However, the research within this area has been focusing heavily on knowledge-intensive SMEs. Scholars call for further research in relation to other industries, as well as a more specific investigation of what kind of different network relationships that affect choice of foreign market and of market entry mode. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how SMEs’ choice of foreign market and market entry mode is influenced by different types of network relationships.   Method: A multiple case study strategy was applied and four SMEs were included in the sample. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, (three personal and one telephone interview), and complemented with secondary data. The respondents were the CEOs of the case firms. The collected data was categorized and each case firm was analyzed, followed by cross-case comparisons. Conclusion: The findings in this thesis show that all case firms had been affected by network relationships in the choice of foreign market and/or choice of market entry mode. Generally the findings conformed to a certain degree to previous findings concerning SMEs in knowledge intensive industries. Further, it was found that network relationship influence was more frequent in the choice of foreign market. In this decision, firms which had taken a proactive approach were mainly infuenced by strong and formal relationships. Firms taking a reactive approach were mainly influenced by weak and informal relationships. Concerning entry mode, it was only weak, informal relationships which had influenced the decision.

<!--[if !mso]> <object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object><mce:style><! st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } -->      Abstract   Research is focusing on the process through which companies internationalize, which is often based on their size, operations, internal capabilities and competencies. Present global economic conditions enforced by the strong competitiveness factor stimulate every company to act in a different way. More and more well established companies encounter with an increasing need to reinforce and redefine its strategic direction. To address these issues companies are inevitably forced to act in a more agile entrepreneurial way. Therefore, entrepreneurial orientation postures were selected among other theoretical alternatives to identify the relationships and effects entrepreneurship can bring to the process of internationalization.   The research was based on the data generated from three well established companies in Jonkoping County. These companies are bright representatives of the manufacturing sector in the region. Besides, they are characterized as market leaders in their preferred segments forming a trend in the industry they serve and keeping a strong competitive edge. Following the path of data collection, a process of individual internationalization was mapped retrospectively, with a focus on identifying entrepreneurial orientation leading this process.   The findings indicate interesting aspects that are applicable to all three firms. We have concluded that nascent decision to internationalize was driven by the external factors which to a great extent accountable for major strategic renewal. Consequently, change in the strategy and processes related to its implementation foster entrepreneurial injections and considerably speed up international commitment. Furthermore, we have identified that theoretical background considerably differ from the practical matters performed in these companies.

Background: For Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME), international expansion is important strategy for growth. However, considering the facts that SMEs often are characterized by limited personal and financial resources, and that new international markets pose challenges in terms of differences in for instance culture, language and political systems, international expansion is a risky business. We argue that there might be an easier way for SMEs to enter challenging markets and regions through establishing in a springboard country. Such a country is characterized by a possibility to in a westernized context accumulate learning about countries in the rest of the region and also to develop and utilize networks. At the moment, Asia is a rapid developing region and is expected to contribute with two thirds of the world’s GDP in 2050. Hence, the Asian region provides immense opportunities for companies, however particularly for SMEs, also severe challenges. We argue that Swedish SMEs could learn how to overcome these challenges establishing in the westernized Singapore, hence finding an easier way when entering more difficult Asian countries. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the phenomenon of SMEs expanding their international activities via a springboard country. This will be done by studying how Swedish SMEs perceive that their establishment in Singapore has affected (1) the development of their networks with other actors in the Asian region, and (2) their accumulation of knowledge and experience regarding doing business in Asia. Method: In order to fulfil the purpose, we have conducted a qualitative multiple case study including seven Swedish SMEs that are established in Singapore. We have primarily used semistructured telephone interviews for our data collection. Conclusion: We found that there is support for the existence of the Springboarding phenomena. We can conclude that Swedish SMEs, by being established in Singapore, can develop and utilize their networks as well as gaining general market knowledge of other countries in the Asian region. We can also see tendencies regarding how these benefits associated with the Singapore establishment can decrease the perceived uncertainties of doing business in other more difficult Asian counties.

Aim: As a result of growing globalization and competition the issue of internationalization is becoming more and more important and relevant for companies all over the world. With fading barriers to trade, investment opportunities and technological innovation, more and more companies see new openings for increased profit and growth by going international. During the last number of years new Swedish fashion brands and clothing companies have entered the international market, and Swedish clothing in general is gaining wider interests outside Swedish borders. Due to this I found it interesting to look at how Swedish small and medium-sized clothing companies start their international expansion, particularly in terms of market selection and choice of entry mode. Polarn O. Pyret (PO.P) is a Swedish clothing company and one of the leading concepts for children wear in Sweden. PO.P has successively expanded internationally and is becoming bigger and bigger. The company was therefore a good source to gain a deeper understanding of the internationalization for Swedish clothing companies. Method: This thesis has a descriptive and exploratory purpose and a qualitative approach. Furthermore, a single case study strategy has been used. The data is collected both from primary resources such as interviews by mail, face to face and phone, while secondary data is collected from homepages and annual reports. For the analysis a within-case data analysis has been made. Result &amp; Conclusions: The main finding for this thesis is that PO.P does not follow the traditional Uppsala model for internationalization. PO.P seems to penetrate new and more distant market stepwise while gaining more knowledge and experience about internationalization, but only by the use of franchising. The motivators to go international for PO.P can be described as proactive as growth and profit are the main motivators, instead of reactive such as demand from someone else. The result also implies that market condition in terms of competition and growth potential, in addition to socio-cultural factors play an important role in the internationalization process for PO.P. It seems that it is important for PO.P when selecting the right market for internationalization, that the market is close in geographical distance, in addition to low psychical distance, as the customers in these markets can more easily understands the brand and the concept, due to similarities in culture, climate and development. PO.P is using a combination of wholly owned concept stores and franchise stores in Sweden and master franchise agreements internationally. By using franchise agreements PO.P does not have to be responsible of all the risk and they can easily gain experience by the franchisee. Using master franchising can on the other hand also give them less control over the activities in the markets abroad.