Background: In recent years globalisation has become the recipe for companies to enter foreign market in order to increase sales. Today internationalisation strategy is not limited to large firms as small and medium size firms have taken the challenge to explore international market in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. In this thesis, I and my co-author intend to investigate the internationalisation process of two Swedish firms, Vaderstad AB and ContextVision AB. Purpose: Our aim is to develop a model to provide a solid explanation of today’s Internationalization process. The model will be generated on the basis of studying three models, and the two Swedish firms’ Internationalization process. The model will also be inspired by Luostarinen&Welch (1988 in Kosonen, 1991) dimensions of internationalisation. We aim to suggest this model to firms which intend to begin internationalization process. Result: Two Swedish firms in our thesis conduct different internationalization strategies when they go to international market. Based on the empirical evidence and previous researches it is possible to develop a new model that can provide a holistic view of a firm internationalisation process

How is competition affected when market boundaries appears none-existing? Our way of communicating and interact has changed the business landscape and created one, international market accessible to all companies striving for competitive advantage (McDougall et al., 2000). Internationalization is the name of the process where firms cross national boundaries and take part of this international market. There are several theories describing this phenomenon, however one of the first models presented was one by the Swedish researchers Johanson and Vahlne in 1977. The Internationalization Process model, also known as the IP model, explains the internationalization of firms as an incremental process of international involvement where knowledge about foreign markets and market commitment affect the way a company proceed internationally. Today’s business landscape has introduced a new kind of companies, a product of our connected world; born global firms are increasing in numbers and described as small, often high technological firms aiming for the international market right after establishing. As the authors of this master thesis we found it interesting that a model such as the internationalization model is still used, discussed and referred to. How can a model deriving from the 1970´s still have such importance in today’s changed world? Is it even applicable for this new business arena that the born global firms constitute? Our research question has been as follows; How does Johanson and Vahlne’s internationalization process model work in practice for born global firms? The way we have analysed our findings is according to our purpose of the study; to define a born global company according to existing theories, examine its relation to the internationalization process model and create a more dynamic version of Johanson and Vahlne’s model. The research process has been carried out as a qualitative study where we have made a deep study of a small, high technological company in Umeå called Seaflex. We have also included an interview with the Swedish Trade Council to support and broaden our empirical findings. Since our aim is to draw conclusions about an existing theory, we have undertaken a deductive approach in our research. After conducting our research we have in our analysis defined Seaflex as a born global company, examined its relation to internationalization and then, in specific to Johanson & Vahlne’s internationalization process model. Finally in our conclusions we present a new internationalization process model focused on born global firms. Our findings are that when born global firms go international, the knowledge needed can be mainly obtained through the development of relationships with partners and new opportunities are discovered through the deliberate use of networks. Due to the fact that our research involves solely one company, we are aware of its limited generalization. Therefore, our main suggestion for further research is to examine our suggested model however with a much broader perspective taking several born global firms perspectives into account.

Aim: After discussing marketing issues with representatives from a number of companies established on the Chinese market, we came to the conclusion that it would be interesting and useful to further investigate relationship marketing models from a Swedish perspective when doing business in China.   The aim of the study is to highlight, by examples and experiences from firms dealing with or on the Chinese market, what makes up successful marketing between Swedish and Chinese businesses.   Research question: Is relationship marketing with a dash of guanxi the recipe of success for Sino-Swedish businesses?   The result of successful relationship marketing is a marketing network and it is an important asset for companies today. Competition is not between single business units or entities any more but between marketing networks (Kotler et al., 2006).   To get a full view of relationship marketing between Sweden and China, we have also studied the Chinese culture context.   Method: We interviewed 10 firms in various industries. Common for all respondents is an extensive experience of over 5 years of doing business in China. A questionnaire was used as a foundation for the interviews.   In the analysis findings regarding how the respondents have handled their internationalization process are highlighted. Also how they handle the relationship marketing on a market, where guanxi have been a dominating way of doing business.   Result and conclusions: Relationship marketing with a dash of guanxi is the road that most companies take already today and should take if not yet doing so. As we can see from the study, China is not under as strong influence of guanxi as it used to be. Our respondents offer insights and examples of that Chinese businessmen and women are adapting a more global approach to business negotiations. Operating on the Chinese market requires a relationship marketing approach although it is more personalized to better suit the Chinese culture context.   Suggestions for future research: * Relationship marketing in China and corruption: how is it handled, avoided, viewed. * Relationship marketing in Sweden by Chinese firms: How can Chinese firms succeed on the Swedish market? * Deeper research into relationship marketing strategies for Swedish companies in China. * Study Swedish firms on the Chinese market today and how they experience the paradoxes mentioned by Fang and Faure (2008).   Contribution of the research: The study offers insights in the actual marketing strategy implementation and how firms with extensive experience from China and the Chinese market approach it.

This thesis is an effort to analyze the importance of business network partners for successful participation in trade shows for small firms to grow more in international markets. This study would be helpful to demonstrate the value of trade shows. Trade shows provide the opportunities to introduce new products, expand network connection, and enhancing firm’s corporate image. To participate in any trade show may be a very lucrative process, but there are many challenges and tasks which are to be met to get the maximum share of international market. To analyse the effectiveness of business network for successful participation in trade shows, I have included one case study of trade shows, named Beauty World 2009, held at Frankfurt Germany. In this show, among the firms from all over the world, 16 small companies manufacturing beauty instruments, companies from my home city, namely Sialkot, Pakistan, also participated. Their experiences, participation, views and observation will also be used to analyze the importance of trade show for creating new business networks through this show. This research indicates the effectiveness of network member providing support to small and growing firms for successful participation in trade shows. With the help of these network members, trade shows can be used as exclusive platforms to introduce new firms, as well as products, to potential consumers. In general, we can indicate that existing network partners, if mobilized accordingly, have the ability to reduce the overall cost incurred at trade shows.

Due to the globalization trend, the internationalization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has become a common practice in the last decades. The New Product Development (NPD) is recognized as innovative value creating effort that has become important in the high-risk, globally competitive environment, and small firms seem to be more effective in utilizing product design and manufacturing involvement, while large firms standardize and formalize the product development practices. Thus, the main focus of this research study is the NPD capabilities and the internationalization process. The main research question focuses on whether and how the NPD capabilities influence the internationalization process of the companies in the health industry. A qualitative study is carried out to answer the research question by interviewing three Swedish companies in the health industry. The empirical findings and analysis conclude that the NPD capabilities and the internationalization process go along with each other and they are both dependant. There is a positive relationship between the NPD capabilities and the internationalization process, but it is not yet defined which one has a greater influence.

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A lot of research has been done concerning the internationalization process of companies. However, researchers have identified a new type of firm that is leapfrogging and is operating internationally right after inception. These companies are Born Globals. We are interested in this trend and the purpose of this research is to understand the strategic behaviour of Born Globals. Therefore, we have done qualitative research on these companies and we will focus on their pre-internationalization steps, their key drivers and their relation to the home market. We have found three case companies, who have helped us in our understandings and we have made several conclusions, regarding their strategic behaviour.

Today, many companies are expanding rapidly from their existing geographical area and see internationalization as a necessity in order to continue to grow. On the other hand, there are different conditions that are imposed on companies in order for them to internationalize and are then considered to be international companies. Various factors can influence whether or not a company can be internationalized, so this study aims to investigate why companies failed with their internationalization strategy and internationalization process. The study is limited to examining small Swedish homework help companies and their approach to the internationalization process. The methodology of the study is of a qualitative nature and consists of a comparative case study with emphasis on interviews. The study's results indicate that small companies have not used any specific internationalization strategy. The respondents, on the other hand, highlight the majority of strategic choices that are in line with the study's theoretical perspective according to the Uppsala model's approach. This study concludes that small businesses failed with their internationalization because they did not enter the new market and understood its dynamics. Understanding a new market and correctly applying knowledge is important for successful internationalization. / Idag växer många företag snabbt ur sitt befintliga geografiska område och ser internationalisering som en nödvändighet för att kunna fortsätta växa. Det finns däremot olika villkor som ställs på företag för att de ska kunna internationalisera och sedan anses vara internationella företag. Varierade faktorer kan påverka huruvida ett företag kan internationaliseras eller inte, denna studie har därför som syfte att undersöka varför företag misslyckats med sin internationaliseringsstrategi och internationaliseringsprocess. Studien är avgränsad till att undersöka små svenska läxhjälpsföretag och deras tillvägagångssätt vid internationaliseringsprocessen. Studiens metodologi är av kvalitativ natur och utgörs av en komparativ fallstudie med tonvikt på intervjuer. Studiens resultat indikerar att småföretagen inte använts sig utav någon specifik internationaliseringsstrategi. Respondenterna belyser däremot flertalet strategiska val som är i linje med studiens teoretiska perspektiv enligt Uppsalamodellens tillvägagångssätt. Denna studie konkluderar att småföretagarna misslyckades med sin internationaliserings för att de inte satt sig in i den nya marknaden och förstått dess dynamik. Att förstå en ny marknad och rätt tillämpa kunskap är av vikt för framgångsrik internationalisering.

Background: Growth and innovation are two well-known words in particular for the 21st century, however, no previous studies are focusing on the growth of an innovative firm.  Research question: How does an innovative firm enter the European market? What factors makes the internationalization process on the European market successful for an innovative firm?  Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to identify initiatives implemented by innovative firms in order to ensure successful growth in the international market. It will also highlight the important aspects of an innovative firm internationalizing on the European market.  Theoretical framework: The traditional Uppsala internationalization model is used as a framework for suggestions on how a firm should enter new markets. Furthermore, a theory about internationalization is used and continued with a theory about innovative firms and the chapter ends with the marketing mix.  Methodology: A case study of an innovative firm has been done where a qualitative research approach has been taken. First hand data in terms of interviews together with secondary data in terms of articles and previous research lays as a foundation for the study.  Empirical material: The empirical material is based on interviews with four interview persons from the case company on distance. In combination with this, information has been gathered from company reports and the webpage of the case firm.  Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that innovative firms does not follow all the steps that the theory suggest for internationalization. Continually, the most vital factors that were followed and not followed are highlighted in the conclusion.

This study takes a deep dive into the internationalization process of the NFL and explains the various steps involved. The study is based on classic theories of internationalization and theories of sports internationalization. The study is mainly made up of secondary data such as newspaper- and journal articles. The results of the study are that the NFL went through a stepwise process which can be connected to previous internationalization literature. However, the results of this study suggest that the process is not as linear as previous literature describes. The study also finds that adaptation plays a key role in sports internationalization. Finally, the thesis contributes to the sports internationalization area by adding more empirical knowledge about this particular branch of the internationalization literature.