Yes / Much of the existing scholarly works portray institutional voids (IVs) in emerging economies as impeding forces against the development of new ventures. However, little attention has been paid to how such voids generate positive outcomes in emerging market new ventures. Drawing on the institutional theory, we propose IVs as crucial enablers of new venture internationalization. In addition, we investigate both how and when IVs enhance the degree to which new ventures internationalize by examining international learning effort (ILE) as a mediator and two domestic market environmental factors (i.e., environmental dynamism and competitive intensity) as important contingencies. We test our moderated mediation model using primary data gathered from 211 new ventures from Ghana. We found that ILE mediates the relationship between IVs and new venture internationalization and that both environmental dynamism and competitive intensity moderate the indirect relationship between home-country IVs and new venture internationalization. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of this study.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe nagrinėjamos aukštojo mokslo internacionalizavimo tendencijos ir plėtros galimybės Lietuvoje ir kitose Europos Sąjungos šalyse. Svarbiausias vaidmuo darbe skiriamas marketingui internete, kadangi internetinio marketingo priemonėmis gali būti veikiami pagrindiniai aukštojo mokslo veiklos internacionalizavimo procesai. Darbe taip pat aptariama tarpinstitucinių tinklų kūrimo ir plėtros svarba aukštojo mokslo internacionalizavimui, pateikiama išsami paslaugų ir interneto marketingo komplekso elementų analizė, akcentuojama programos, įvaizdžio ir rėmimo elementų svarba aukštojo mokslo internacionalizavimui. Šiame darbe svarbiausias dėmesys skiriamas kompleksinio pobūdžio tyrimams, t.y. atliekami Europos Sąjungos aukštojo mokslo rinkos, kriterijų lemiančių studento apsisprendimą, pasirenkant aukštojo mokslo instituciją bei informacijos apie studijas paieškos šaltinių svarbos nustatymo ir praktinių užsienio modelių tyrimai. Remiantis kokybiniais ir kiekybiniais tyrimų rezultatais sukurtas tarptautinio marketingo koncepcinis modelis skirtas, aukštųjų mokslo institucijų tarptautinei plėtrai, kurio esmė yra aukštojo mokslo institucijų tinklų platformos ir internetinio marketingo elementų derinys, patekti praktiniai pavyzdžiai ir suformuluotos išvados. Darbą sudaro šios dalys: įvadas, analitinė – metodinė dalis, tiriamoji dalis išvados ir siūlymai, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 112 p. teksto be priedų, 24 iliustr., 32 lent., 171... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The thesis examines main trends and development issues on internationalisation of higher education in Lithuania and other EU countries. The paper main focus is given to internet marketing as the internationalisation of higher education processes can be affected by different internet marketing tools. The thesis also emphasizes the importance of institutional partnership creation and development for internationalisation of higher education. The thesis gives an overview of foreign successful models, focuses on service and internet marketing mix analysis emphasizing the importance of programme, image and promotion marketing mix elements for internationalisation of higher institution. The main attention here is drawn to a complex research method, i.e. the EU higher education market research, choice factors and information sources research and practical foreign model research is performed on the paper. The conceptual marketing model for internationalization of higher education based on internet marketing mix and institutional partnership platform was created as a result of qualitative and quantitative research. The practical implications of the model are introduced, the conclusions are formulated. Structure: introduction, analytical - methodical part, experimental - investigative part, conclusions and suggestions, references. Thesis consist of: 112 p. text without appendixes, 24 pictures, 32 tables, 171 bibliographical entries.

This research began with the question: why is the retailer brand market share of Tesco Korea higher than that of local Korean retailers? Of the foreign grocery retailers who have expanded into Korea, Tesco has achieved the most outstanding performance, with the highest retailer brand share in the market. After the withdrawal of Wal-Mart and Carrefour from Korea in 2006, Tesco Korea has been positioned as the successful foreign retailer. Accordingly, how the retail operation of Tesco Korea differs from that of the local Korean retailers attracted the author’s interest, specifically in terms of the development and handling processes of the retailer brand. Rather than examining the customer perceptions of both Tesco Korea and the domestic Korean retailers, the researcher concentrated on identifying the differences between both parties from the point of view of their retailer brand program operations. Based on in-depth interviews with retailers and suppliers, store observations, the author’s own experience in retailer brand development, and company documentation, this research explored the differences between Tesco Korea and domestic Korean retailers in how they develop and handle their own brands. Tesco Korea has taken advantage of retailing know-how, that is, retailer brand development skills created by Tesco UK. With the help of Tesco UK, the retailer brand development process of Tesco Korea is differentiated in a number of areas from that of the local Korean retailers. The flows of retailing know-how from Tesco UK to Tesco Korea has also influenced the whole retailer brand market in Korea, as well as stimulated the local Korean retailers to improve their retailer brand development skills. The entry of retailers with advanced retailer brand development knowledge into markets where retailer brands are less well developed is a catalyst in promoting retailer brand markets, and in intensifying retail competition. Also, the retailer brand development know-how of domestic retailers is enhanced by imitating or benchmarking foreign retailers. This research suggests that retailer brand share is related to the degree to which retailers are proactively involved in the development and handling processes for retailer brand product ranges, as well as to how sophisticated or advanced their knowledge of the retailer brand development process is. Advanced development and handling skills make a considerable contribution to increasing retailer brand share in markets with a lower share or no presence of retailer brands.

This thesis focuses on how small to medium-sized management consultancies internationalise, as this is an under-researched area. Investigation focuses on identifying the factors that facilitate international market success for these small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the challenges they encounter, and how those challenges have been overcome. The relevance of SME internationalisation theories is explored for SME management consultancies in the UK. The study is exploratory, phenomenological and framed within an interpretive research paradigm. Primary data was gathered qualitatively using multiple (9) case studies, collected principally through semi-structured interviews. This empirical research, one of the first to focus solely on SME management consultancies, finds the owner/founders as the key driver of internationalisation. Their past experience enables an international outlook and brings established networks to firm formation. The findings highlight the relevance of intangible resources: the firms’ skills, competencies and networking capabilities, as integral to successful internationalisation. Additional key critical success factors are niche market specialisation, firm reputation, firm location, ability for service provision modification and the role of technology. There are observed firm size-related differences in the challenges these firms face, with smaller-sized firms being more vulnerable to challenges from the external environment, including the 2008 financial crisis. Firms are able to overcome these challenges with the help of their networks. Other challenges stem from the firm’s service provision: difficulty in finding skilled staff and communication with clients. The findings suggest applicability for other knowledge-intensive firms. The research contributes to closing the gap in literature on how firms successfully provide services internationally and in so doing advances theoretical understanding of SME service internationalisation. This theory-building research demonstrates partial relevance of Stage Theory, Networking Theory, and Born Global Theory, but overall the resource-based view was found as the most relevant to understanding the internationalisation process of SME management consultancies. This sets a foundation for further research on the internationalisation process of other knowledge-intensive firms.

International experience is important to prepare university students for the modern labor market in the globalized knowledge economy. While financial, societal, and political obstacles may limit students’ mobility in developing countries, using Web 2.0 and Social Media applications can enable them to engage in a virtual social learning environment to interact with peers and instructors abroad in an enjoyable, inclusive international Virtual Collaborative Learning experience. This study investigates the factors influencing Palestinian students’ perception of this experience, and explores the enhancement potential to fit the needs of developing countries. Thirty-four contextual, design, and individual factors were linked by course participants from Palestine to their reported motivation, enjoyment, and satisfaction in this new learning scenario. Recommended improvements in the design and implementation of similar arrangements are concluded from the qualitative evaluation of this empirical case study.

This thesis investigates the factors influencing the internationalization of firms through a multi-layered analysis grounded in international business. It addresses the following questions. First, in what ways does the institutional environment facilitate or hinder the growth of start-ups? And in what ways does institutional diversity across countries affect internationalizing firms? Second, in light of the variety of internationalization patterns, what modifications are necessary to the theories of internationalization? Third, how do rapidly internationalizing firms explore and exploit capabilities? And in what ways does capability development differ between firms that realize early, rapid internationalization and those firms that do not? Answering the first set of questions involves recasting the comparative institutional analysis of national political economies. This thesis demonstrates that: 1) when national institutions are in transition, business entrepreneurs can bring about institutional change, or else act to avoid or adapt specific institutions for their own use; and 2) international institutional diversity seems to be less influential in determining the expansion pattern of rapidly internationalizing firms. Next, to address the second question, this thesis examines the factors influencing the speed of internationalization. The proposed models point to a larger role of entrepreneurs’ perception and the relevance of the resources factor, and better accommodate a wider variety of internationalization paths. In order to answer the third set of questions, this thesis investigates the early stage development of firm-level capabilities among internationalizing firms. The result points to: 1) the faster transformation of individual capabilities to firm-level routines; 2) a wider variety of routines for exploring external capabilities; and 3) a higher ability to exploit ordinary routines, among more rapidly internationalizing firms. Finally, this thesis discusses how each of the three levels of analysis relates to the other levels. The overall analysis demonstrates the value of multi-layered approach in investigating the firm’s internationalization.

Purpose − Previous research has shown that Swedish Small-and-Medium enterprises (SMEs) have a relatively low level of digital maturity when it comes to export, thus limiting growth potential in international markets. This study aims at investigating this phenomenon with a focus on e-commerce, as it is among the top digital channels that have a large impact on international expansion. Factors influencing the usage of e-commerce channels within internationalisation by Swedish SME fashion retailers will be investigated.  Design/methodology/approach −The overall methodology used in this study is qualitative with an abductive mode of reasoning. The study follows a case study approach using multiple cases with interviews as the primary data source. Based on literature review, thirteen factors are identified to have a certain influence on the usage of e-commerce within internationalisation. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with seven cases to examine the identified factors from literature and explore new factors if possible. Findings − The results present eleven critical factors including eight identified factors from the literature together with five newly discovered factors. They are Relative Advantage, Perceived Usefulness, Compatibility, Costs, Customer Reachability, Branding and Advertising, Time-efficiency, Technology Competence & Configuration, Organisation Size, Competitive Pressure, and Main Product Features. These critical factors have various effects depending on companies’ business operations and the degree of online internationalisation. The results further confirmed that the Uppsala Model is still applicable in the context of Swedish SME fashion retailers internationalising with e-commerce.  Value − This study has contributed to the existing research on e-commerce and internationalisation in terms of the influence on firms’ e-commerce usage within internationalisation in the post-adoption phase, and under the specific business context of Swedish small-and-medium sized fashion retailers. Based on the conclusion, practical implications are offered for similar companies in this industry

Background: Emerging economies is more fragile for global actions than developed markets, and they struggle to keep the economic growth consistent. Brazil, as an emerging economy, has one of the higher growth in the world, but the country has had some difficulties during the last years and foreign direct investments have decreased. Most foreign direct investments activities tend to go north-to-north, and the most common investment strategy is acquisition and the success is related to the type of activity and industry. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate what type of cross-border acquisitions companies choose to be involved in and which financial factors have the greatest impact, when entering the Brazilian market. Theory: The theoretical framework consists of theories related to acquisition strategies to answer formulated purpose. Following theories have been used as an analytical tool in the thesis: merger and acquisition waves, horisontal, vertical and conglomerate strategies and information asymmetry. Method: This study is based on a mixed method design with inductive and deductive approach. Statistical data have been gathered together with four semistructured interviews to gain data about ingoing acquisitions in Brazil. The statistical data have been gathered from the database Zephyr. Conclusion: To summarize the conclusions, ingoing cross-border acquisitions in Brazil follow a wave-like pattern that is mostly depending on horisontal acquisitions, were the financial factors that have the greatest impact is information, taxation, labor and laws.

L'objectif de cette recherche est d'évaluer l'impact du profil du dirigeant sur le niveau d'OE et l'influence de ce dernier sur la performance-export de la PME dans le contexte togolais. A cet effet, une analyse quantitative par la période de régression logistique auprès de 65 PME exportatrices montre que la vision stratégique, les compétences clés, les traits de personnalité du dirigeant et les caractéristiques de la PME affectent positivement l’orientation entrepreneuriale internationale et la performance-export. Ces résultats ont le mérite de confirmer le modèle conceptuel adapté de Miller/Friesen et celui de Covin/Slevin dans le cadre du Togo. / The objective of this research is to assess the impact of the CEO's profile on the EO level and its influence on the export performance of the SMBs in the togolese context. The results of a quantitative analysis by logistic regression led to 65 exporting SMBs to this purpose, show that the strategic vision, the key competences, the CEO's traits of personality and the SMBs characteristics, are positively related to to the international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) and to the export performance. These results have the merit of confirming the conceptual model adapted from M/F and the one of C/S within the Togolese framework.

Cette thèse s'intéresse aux Services d'Accompagnement à l'Export proposés par les acteurs de l'accompagnement. Les pouvoirs publics s'interrogent sur l'efficacité de ces aides. La littérature fait état de résultats contradictoires sur cette question, notamment à cause de l'absence d'une mesure valide de l'accompagnement à l'export qui rend difficile la comparaison des résultats. Cette difficulté est exacerbée par la diversité des entreprises accompagnées. En effet, les aides ont été pensées pour les entreprises à internationalisation par étapes. Pourtant, il apparaît que les Exportatrices Précoces, type d'entreprise à internationalisation précoce le plus répandu mais aussi le plus fragile, utilisent les mêmes aides. Dès lors, deux questions se posent ; d'une part, la manière de mesurer l'accompagnement à l'export reçu par l'entreprise et, d'autre part, la question de l'efficacité des Services d'Accompagnement à l'Export pour les Exportatrices Précoces. Pour répondre à la première question, une démarche de construction d'une échelle de mesure de l'accompagnement à l'export est mise en œuvre en s'appuyant sur le paradigme de Churchill (1979). Une étude exploratoire est menée auprès de treize acteurs de l'accompagnement à l'export et cinq entreprises accompagnées afin de faire émerger des items de mesure. Ensuite, 288 questionnaires d'entreprises accompagnées à l'export sont récoltés et utilisés pour tester les qualités psychométriques de l'échelle. Cette démarche aboutit à une échelle de mesure multidimensionnelle composée de neuf items et distinguant accompagnement informationnel, opérationnel et financier. Cet outil permet de mesurer plus précisément les Services d'Accompagnement à l'Export utilisés par l'entreprise. Pour répondre à la seconde question, la théorie des ressources est mobilisée afin d'identifier les ressources stratégiques des Exportatrices Précoces et l'influence que les différents types d'accompagnement à l'export peuvent avoir sur elles. Ces relations aboutissent à un modèle conceptuel testé par la méthode des équations structurelles à partir de 196 questionnaires d'entreprises accompagnées à l'export. Il en ressort que les Services d'Accompagnement à l'Export sont moins efficaces pour les Exportatrices Précoces, notamment en ce qui concerne l'accompagnement financier qui n'a aucune influence sur leur performance internationale. Les résultats soulignent ainsi la nécessité d'élaborer de nouveaux services pour accompagner efficacement les Exportatrices Précoces. Plusieurs propositions sont faites en ce sens. / This thesis focuses on Export Support Services offered by the public and semi-public actors. Public authorities are questioning the effectiveness of these services. The literature reports conflicting results on this issue, especially because of the lack of a valid measure of export support which makes it difficult to compare results. This difficulty is exacerbated by the diversity of firms supported. Indeed, the services was thought to firm with internationalization by stages. Yet it appears that Early Exporters, the most common but also the most fragile type of International New Ventures, use the same services. Therefore, two questions arise; first, how to measure the export support received by the firm and, secondly, the question of the effectiveness of the Export Support Services for Early Exporters. To answer the first question, a process of construction of a scale measurement of Export Support based on the Churchill paradigm (1979) is implemented. An exploratory study was conducted with thirteen support export actors and five companies to make measurement items. Then 288 questionnaires of supported firms are harvested and used to test the psychometric properties of the scale. This approach results in a multidimensional measurement scale with nine items and distinguishing informational, operational and financial Export Support. This tool can measure more accurately Export Support Services used by the firm. To answer the second question, the theory of resources is mobilized to identify the strategic resources of Early Exporters and influence that different types of Export Support can have on them. These relationships lead to a conceptual model tested by the method of structural equation from 196 questionnaires of supported companies. It shows that the Export Support Services are less effective for Early Exporters, especially with regard to the financial support that has no influence on their international performance. The results thus highlight the need to develop new services to effectively support Early Exporters. Several proposals are made in this direction.