Technical advances have made it possible for small enterprises to go international already at inception since the internet has made the internationalization process cost-effective. With the existence of the offline and online arena, the companies have to consider how they allocate their resources between these fields; not allocating resources to offline methods can save money, but could reduce adaptation to the new market which can lead to reduced firm performance. However, overspending on offline methods can be costly and could jeopardize the financial stability of the company. Although this is noted by previous research, little is still known about how companies balance the resources between online and offline presence. Especially when it comes to e-commerce companies and how the benefits of online and offline presence are balanced by this type of firms in their expansion into foreign markets. This is also what is meant to be explored in this paper. The data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with seven Swedish e-commerce companies that have internationalized their operations in an active way. The results show that online and offline benefits can be divided into four categories, namely local knowledge, local connection, promotion and services. These categories could in turn bring benefits to the company that are either substitutable, non-substitutable or complementary. The findings indicate that firms could balance their resources in online and offline presence in order to gain benefits that cannot be found in the counterparts of each presence. This could be of interest for entrepreneurs and managers that plan to engage in internationalization within e-commerce.

[pt] O presente estudo tem por objetivo investigar mudanças no padrão de internacionalização de empresas Born Global. Alguns aspectos da internacionalização – tais como motivações, critérios para seleção de países e modos de entrada – foram analisados, bem como fatores que possam ter impulsionado mudanças na atuação internacional. Por fim, foi investigado se as empresas continuam com uma lógica de expansão, como nos primeiros anos, ou se estão tendendo para uma consolidação de posições. A revisão da literatura concentrou-se em elementos teóricos da internacionalização de pequenas empresas – empreendedorismo internacional e o modelo de Effectuation – além de estudos sobre evolução organizacional sob a perspectiva de Punctuated Equilibrium. Como a evolução das empresas Born Global é um fenômeno ainda pouco estudado (tendo a literatura sobre essas empresas se concentrado basicamente nos estágios iniciais de sua internacionalização), optou-se por realizar um estudo qualitativo com uma amostra de julgamento composta por três empresas, as quais atendiam aos critérios citados na literatura para caracterização de empresas como Born Global. Foi possível observar que, mesmo após vários anos após sua investida inicial no mercado internacional, a empresa pode continuar em expansão, embora haja uma tendência de apresentar também uma lógica da consolidação. Elas não buscam apenas o simples crescimento, mas rentabilizar os resultados, bem como vem utilizando critérios mais seletivos para a aceitação de clientes, seleção de países e tomada de decisões sobre o modo de operação no exterior. Como aplicação ao mundo empresarial, este estudo evidencia a busca por uma operação que minimize custos, o aproveitamento de oportunidades que podem ser de curto prazo, a atuação junto a parceiros (networks) e a receptividade para fusões ou aquisições. / [en] This study aims to investigate changes in the pattern of internationalization of Born Global companies. Some aspects of globalization - such as motivations, criteria for country selection and entry modes - were analyzed, as well as factors that may have driven changes in international operations. Finally, we investigated whether companies continue with a logical expansion, as in former years, or are trending toward a consolidation of positions. The literature review focused on theoretical elements of internationalization of small businesses - international entrepreneurship and the model of effectuation - and studies of organizational change from the perspective of Punctuated Equilibrium. How the evolution of Born Global companies is a little studied phenomenon (with the literature on these companies basically concentrated in the early stages of internationalization), we chose to conduct a qualitative study with a sample of trial consists of three companies, the which met the criteria cited in the literature to characterize companies like Global Born. It was observed that, even after several years after its initial foray into the international market, the company can continue to expand, although there is a trend also present the logic of consolidation. They seek not only the simple growth but profitable results, and have been using more selective criteria for customer acceptance, selection of countries and making decisions on the mode of operation abroad. As an application to the business world, this study highlights the search for an operation that minimizes costs, take advantage of opportunities that may be short-term relationships with select partners (networks) and receptivity to mergers or acquisitions.

The main aim of this research is to develop a conceptual model that describes the way managers make decisions about internationalizing. It also tries to explain under what conditions managers will be risk-seekers and under what conditions they will be risk-averse, and as a result which groups of strategies and tools they will choose to use when internationalizing. This investigation focuses on the field of behavioural economics in opposition to leading paradigms in the IB field that concentrate on the neoclassical economic theory. This research uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines the behavioural economics approach and theories drawn from the field of entrepreneurship, IB, market relations, industrial organization, RBV and institutional theory, in order to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework that can explain from the senior manager's perspective when and why s/he chooses certain variables and not others. The findings link the manager's perception of his position vis-à-vis his industry reference point (IRP are defined as any variable that highlights a particular objective, seems capable of establishing a reference point, and as a result, creates a framework for organizational/individual decision making) and his decision making in the area of risk management, learning, and product adaption and development. The findings indicate that managers below their IRP display innovation when developing new marketing/distribution channels, and share their knowledge with partners. Nevertheless, they demonstrate low awareness of risk management. In contrast, managers above their IRP focus on the organization's existing technology and marketing and distribution channels and avoid adjusting their products to the market needs and sharing knowledge with distributors. On the other hand, they adopt an active risk management strategy.Additionally we link between the manager's perceptions of his position vis-à-vis his IRP and his choice of entry mode strategy. The findings indicate that a number of differences exist between managers below their IRP and managers above their IRP. Managers below their IRP use positioning strategies but use TCA or institutional strategies very little. In contrast, managers above their IRP use TCA or institutional strategies but will hardly use positioning strategies at all. The two types of managers use network strategy and RBV, but each group uses different factors within the theories. The research makes a number of important contributions to study of the IB sphere, particularly to the fields of research relating to the internationalization of BG companies, which is a relatively new field of knowledge. Today there is no comprehensive theoretical framework explaining the way BG companies internationalize and the reasons they choose one strategy or tool over another when entering foreign markets. The present research attempts to establish a conceptual model that describes the way managers make internationalization decisions. It does so by importing a new discipline from the field of behavioural economics into the IB field, which is deeply wedded to the tradition of neo-classical economics and integrates it with existing strategies in the field to create a conceptual model that mediates between traditional IB research and the BG research stream.

In this dissertation, I first suggest an extension of the managerial rents model and more specifically the managerial skills typology that it offers. Building on research in international business, I propose adding country-specific skills (CSS) to this typology in addition to firm-specific, industry-specific, and generic skills. I define CSS as managers’ abilities that are applicable and specific to a particular national institutional context. Such skills are distinct from the other three types identified and are likely to influence managers’ performance and the performance of their firms. So if CSS are distinct skills, what are the implications for strategy and international business research? In an attempt to respond to this question, I conduct two empirical essays in which I examine the implications of this refinement of the typology of managerial skills for CEO selection and firms’ mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy. In the first empirical essay, I puzzle at the fact that although CSS constitute a barrier to high-level executive mobility across countries, there have been a growing number of foreign-born CEOs being appointed across the globe. Why are these individuals being selected for the post of CEO? Using information on the appointment of foreign-born and national CEOs from 2005 to 2010 among global 500 companies, I show that internationalization pressures help explain their selection and that two types of firms are likely to appoint foreign leaders: highly internationalized firms and firms that are likely to internationalize. In the second empirical essay, I examine the strategic implications of country-specific skills. Employing the same sample as the one used in the first empirical essay, I demonstrate that given that their mindset is likely to be less focused on firms’ home market, foreign-born CEOs may be prone to institute more changes in firms’ cross-border M&A strategy than their domestic counterparts. I also theorize on the moderating influence of CEOs’ insiderness.

L'administration préalable à l'intubation d'une anesthésie/sédation ou prémédication est recommandée depuis longtemps chez le nouveau-né. Néanmoins, il n'existe pas de consensus sur ses modalités précises et les pratiques dans ce domaine sont extrêmement hétérogènes. Les objectifs de cette thèse étaient de :Décrire les pratiques de prémédication avant l'intubation des nouveau-nés observées au lit du patient, dans des services de réanimation néonatale ou pédiatrique en région parisienne (étude EPIPPAIN)Explorer les déterminants éventuels de l'administration ou non d'une prémédicationRapporter l'expérience d'un service de réanimation néonatale (CHI Créteil) sur la mise en place d'un changement de pratique de prémédication avant intubationDans l'étude EPIPPAIN, 56% des intubations étaient précédées d'une prémédication spécifique pour le geste. Aucun facteur lié à l'enfant ou au service n'a été identifié comme significativement associé à l'utilisation ou non d'une prémédication. L'association atropine-sufentanil-atracurium a permis, dans une population de très grands prématurés (âge gestationnel < 32 SA), un taux de succès de 74% de la première tentative d'intubation, dans de bonnes conditions. Les désaturations et l'élévation prolongée de la PCO2 transcutanée étaient fréquentes.Il existe une marge de progression importante concernant la fréquence et la qualité des prémédications utilisées avant intubation néonatale dans les services français. Une démarche d'amélioration des pratiques est faisable. Cependant d'autres travaux sont nécessaires afin d'affiner la balance bénéfice/risque pour les nouveau-nés et de mettre en place, à grande échelle, de bonnes pratiques. / Premedication prior to neonatal intubation has been recommended for a long time. However no consensus exists to date for a standardised premedication regimen. Practices are consequently extremely heterogeneous. The objectives of the present thesis were to: Describe actual premedication practices at patients’ bedside in neonatal and pediatric ICUs located in the Paris area (EPIPPAIN study). Explore potential risk factors associated with the use or non-use of a specific premedication prior to neonatal intubation. Report a single unit (CHI Créteil) experience with the implementation of a new premedication protocol In the EPIPPAIN study 56% of intubations were preceded by a specific premedication. No patient or centre’s characteristic was identified as significantly associated with the use or non-use of a specific premedication. The association atropine-sufentanil-atracurium in a population of very premature infants (born before 32 weeks of gestational age) resulted in a 74% rate of successful first intubation attempt with good conditions. Desaturations and persistent elevated transcutaneous PCO2 were frequent There is a potential for large improvement in the frequency and nature of premedication use for neonatal intubations in French NICUs. A quality improvement process is feasible. However, more research and actions are needed in order to refine the risk/benefit ratio of available regimens for neonates and to implement good practices at a large scale.

The Country-of-Origin (COO) is an important factor to be considered for startup firms in their international expansion and development. This exploratory study focuses on the influence and impacts of the COO on Born Global startups from emerging economies in their internationalization process. The research provides a general picture about the theories connected to the COO and its impacts, as well as the different contexts which are the basis for the COO construct, such as the historical, economic and international contexts. The study is based on three case companies from Brazil, founded around the year of 2010. Besides understanding the COO effects faced by Global Born firms in international markets, this study also analyzes how these companies deal with this matter when implementing their internationalization plans. Moreover, the study also assesses the Global Born firms’ internationalization path, as well as their main motivators and influential factors. The findings about the influence of COO affects in Born Global startups from emerging markets are displayed in two phases: (1) the initial stage, when consumers still have little knowledge and experience with the products or services offered by the startups, therefore relying more on first perceptions such as the COO, and (2) a secondary stage, in which the companies have already interacted in the international market, and the companies and their products and services are already known by the market in some extent. This study’s findings suggest that the COO affects the startups in the first moments of their internationalization process, however the COO influences decreases as the startups develop, interact and exploit the new markets. The findings are presented from both a within-case perspective and a cross-case perspective. Furthermore, discussion of the findings, implications and suggestions for further research are provided.

Helt digitala bolag antas många gånger inte möta samma typer av barriärer som de som producerar fysiska produkter eller är delvis digitala. Det finns mycket forskning inom internationalisering och barriärer, men sällan med avseende på born digitals, digitala företag med hög digitaliseringsgrad som internationaliserar sig tidigt. Studiens syfte är att undersöka vilka barriärer, i form av liability of foreignness och liability of newness, som born digitals möter vid internationalisering. I en fallstudie har intervjuer med VD och anställda vid marknadsföringsbyrån Nordic Business House utförts. Företaget agerar brygga mellan Sverige och Kina. Bland resultaten har barriärer noterats i form av kulturella skillnader, regleringar kring media och pengar, avsaknad av legitimitet och svårigheter med att anställa medarbetare med relevant kompetens. Slutsatsen är att samtliga barriärer även kan appliceras på born globals, men de påverkar i olika grad. För att finna born digital-specifika barriärer behöver andra born digitals-företag och barriärer vidare undersökas.

Sammanfattning Datum   2021-01-21 Nivå   Kandidatuppsats i Företagsekonomi, 15 hp Institution Akademin för Ekonomi, Samhälle och Teknik, Mälardalens högskola Författare Anna Droga  Sara Hamrin  Alma Olsdotter   940725   970430   960817 Handledare Kerstin Nilsson Nyckelord Born Global, Internationalisering, Nätverk, Sociala medier, Mäklarbranschen Titel  Global Playground  En kvalitativ fallstudie om hur två Born Globals företag uppfyller sin vision att bli internationella med hjälp av nätverk och sociala medier.  Forsknings    Hur använder Born Globals nätverk som en resurs under etableringsåren? frågor                 Hur använder Born Globals digitala redskap i form av sociala medier för att  skapa sociala medier band under etableringsåren? Syfte  Studien syftar till att öka förståelsen för hur Born Globals använder sig av  sociala medier och nätverk under etableringsåren. Närmare ska studien undersöka hur användning av nätverk utvecklas, samt hur nya nätverk nås.  Studien ämnar bidra med ökad kunskap om användning av nätverk och sociala medier som resurs, för att underlätta etablering för andra Born Globals inom mäklarbranschen och tjänsteföretag.  Metod  Studien är en kvalitativ fallstudie som använder sig av tematisk analys. Fem  semistrukturerade intervjuer har ägt rum med totalt två företag. Empirin har transkriberats och kodats för att få fram två teman; Nätverk och Sociala medier.  Slutsats Slutsaten är att entreprenörer som startar Born Globals besitter kunskap och  kontaktnät redan vid etablering. Det framkom att företagens definitionen av starka och svaga band inte stämmer överens med teorin, det medför att det möjligen finns ett behov att utveckla en ny typ av band. Angående sociala medier är det essentiellt verktyg där olika typer av användare kan nås. Företagen tillämpar olika strategier beroende på om de strävar ett kort- eller långsiktigt resultat. En viktig aspekt var emotionellt innehåll på sociala medier. Ett intressant samband mellan nätverksteorin och sociala-medier band framkom.

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Bakgrund: Ökad migration i Sverige har resulterat i språklig, kulturell och religiös mångfald. Med immigrationen söker fler utrikesfödda äldre vård. Begränsade språkkunskaper bland utrikesfödda äldre kan leda till kommunikationshinder, vilket gör att de blir mer utsatta i kommunikation med vårdpersonal inom hälso- och sjukvård. Syftet var att beskriva utrikesfödda äldres upplevelser av vad som påverkar kommunikation med vårdpersonal inom hälso- och sjukvård. Metod: Studien är en litteraturöversikt baserad på 14 vetenskapliga artiklar publicerade mellan år 2007 och 2019. Artikelsökningen gjordes via databaserna CINAHL och PubMed samt manuella sökningar. Resultat: Utrikesfödda äldres upplevda problem i kommunikation med vårdpersonal beskriver utmaningar som hälso- och sjukvården står inför i samband med ökad immigration. Fyra huvudkategorier identifierades: Språk- och kulturbarriär, Bristande information relaterad till utrikesfödda äldres sjukdomar, undersökningar och deras rättigheter, Tidsbrist och stress hos vårdpersonal samt Vårdpersonalens engagemang och bemötande. Slutsats: Kommunikationsproblem på grund av språkliga och kulturella skillnader ska inte begränsa de utrikesfödda äldres rättigheter till god vård. Informationen som ges till de utrikesfödda äldre bör vara individanpassade. Vårdpersonalen bör ha kulturell kompetens, vara lyhörda och ha ett hänsynstagande till patientens individuella förutsättning i samband med kommunikation. Att hitta strategier för att överbrygga kommunikationsproblem är sålunda absolut nödvändigt. / Background: Increased immigration in Sweden has resulted in linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. In connection with increased immigration, several foreign-born older people are seeking care. Limited language skills among foreign-born elderly can lead to communication barriers, which make them more vulnerable in terms of communication with healthcare professionals. Aim: To describe foreign-born older peoples’ experience of what influences communication with healthcare professionals in health care. Method: The study is a literature review based on fourteen research articles published between 2007 and 2019. The databases CINAHL and PubMed as well as manual search were used for the article search. Results: Foreign-born older peoples’ perceived problems regarding communication with health care professionals describe the challenges that healthcare is facing in connection with increased immigration. Four main categories have been identified: Language and cultural barriers; Lack of information related to the foreign-born older peoples’ illness, examination, and their rights; Lack of time and stress among health care professionals; and Health care professionals’ involvement and treatment. Conclusion: Communication problems due to linguistic and cultural differences should not limit the rights of the forgein-born older people in terms of good care. Information that is given to the forgein-born older people should be individually adapted. Health care professionals should have cultural competence, be perceptive and have respect for the patients’ individual condition in connection with communication. Thus, finding strategies for overcoming communication problems is imperative.