Previous research (Chen&Mujtaba, 2007) on entry mode considered the influence of country, industry, location, firm specific factors on the entry mode. However to date limited research has attempted to examine the entrepreneurial capabilities and the influence on the strategic entry mode decision. This study will provide an empirical investigation of the contingent influence of small to medium sized firms’ entrepreneurial capability on the entry mode decision for internationalisation. The research aimed to determine whether entrepreneurial capabilities influence the choice of entry mode for international firms. In addition, the study investigated which entrepreneurial capabilities will lead to financial growth in the international market. The population for the study was small to medium-large firms in South Africa that had international operations. A combination of three non-probability sampling techniques was used, namely convenience, quota and snowball techniques (Blumberg, Cooper,&Schindler, 2008), which provided a sample of 175 firms. The questionnaire consisted of two sections, the first section consisted of corpographics, entry mode and performance information. The second section used a seven point Likert scale to determine the entrepreneurial capabilities of the firm. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Empirical results indicate that certain international entrepreneurial capabilities influence the choice of entry mode. In other words, it is the efforts to build the right mix of capabilities that may enhance the firm’s output and ability to recognise international opportunities. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Yes / Although social innovation can help multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries create social value for developing countries, they often encounter significant challenges in successfully implementing social innovation projects. This research applies the knowledge-based perspective to propose and test a theoretical framework to explain why MNE subsidiaries differ in their ability to pursue social innovation successfully in a developing country. The framework contends that MNEs’ relationship learning contributes to social innovation variability under varying levels of subsidiary autonomy and mode of entry. Analysis of primary data collected from 207 subsidiaries of MNEs operating in Ghana shows that relationship learning has a positive relationship with social innovation. Further analysis reveals that subsidiary autonomy enhances the positive association between relationship learning and social innovation, and that this moderating effect is stronger for subsidiaries with equity entry mode as opposed to non-equity entry mode. These insights advance the limited understanding of the antecedents of MNEs’ social innovation in developing countries and offer guidance on how MNE subsidiaries can successfully pursue social innovation interventions in a developing country.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the strategies used by a Swedish franchise company when they established in the international market. Theoretical perspective: The theoretical frame consists of previous research on internationalization, market entry mode and franchising as a concept. Method: The study follows a qualitative method and has a deductive research approach, with case study as research design. Result: The empirical content is collected from semistructured interviews with three respondents from O’Learys. Conclusion: O’Learys has established on the international market through networking. Through franchise, the company has gradually established restaurants in the Nordic region, the rest of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. During the internationalization process, O’Learys has encountered cultural barriers, which the company handled by being adaptive inits business model, without detracting from the core of the business. O’Learys has had the strategy of working with Multi Unit operators and also being accurate with the analysis work to find potential markets. In addition, the company wants to create safe and profitable franchisees by being a good support office. / Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilka strategier som ett svenskt franchiseföretag använt sig av vid etablering på den internationella marknaden. Teoretiskt perspetkiv: Den teoretiska referensramen består av tidigare forskning kring internationalisering, market entry mode och franchising som koncept. Metod: Studien följer en kvalitativ metod och har en deduktiv forskningsansats, med fallstudie som forskningsdesign. Empiri: Det empiriska innehållet är insamlat från semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre respondenter från O'Learys. Slutsats: O'Learys har med hjälp av nätverksrelationer etablerat sig på deninternationella marknaden. Genom franchise har företaget stegvis etablerat restauranger i Norden, övriga Europa, Asien och Mellanöstern. Under internationaliseringsprocessen har O'Learys stött på kulturella hinder, som företaget bemött genom att vara adaptiva i sin affärsmodell, utan att frångå kärnan i verksamheten. O'Learys har haft som strategi att arbeta med Multi Unit-operators och att vara noggranna med analysarbetet för att hitta potentiella marknader. Utöver detta vill företaget skapa trygga och lönsamma franchisetagare genom att vara ett bra supportkontor.

Today’s market environment is increasingly growing due to the economical globalization; with international trade, financial transfers and foreign direct investments the economy is becoming highly interconnected. The advances in communication and transportation technology combined with free-market ideology, have given products and services remarkable mobility. Nowadays, international companies are focusing on opening the world markets to their goods especially in emerging markets in order to take advantage of these markets opportunities and be part of its developing and growing infrastructure. In order for international companies to enter foreign markets, there are a variety of factors to consider while planning a strategic approach to reach new customers and differentiate their products and services from national and international competitors within the chosen market. This thesis will focus on featuring the significant factors that could affect companies entering new markets; the study is a qualitative single case study of IKEA, it will specifically investigate IKEA’s franchising in the Moroccan market and forms of internal and external factors that could affect IKEA’s entry into the market as well as it will highlight the main concepts that managers should consider when planning to enter the Moroccan market. The study was based on theoretical framework combined with empirical findings that were collected from secondary data such as annually reports and trade documents as well as through conducting in-depth interviews with IKEA’s managers to increase the study reliability and validity. According to the study findings and analytical results, the conclusion is that IKEA will not face major internal and external obstacles that would affect their operations significantly. There are few factors that could arise while entering the Moroccan market but from a holistic view this minor interferences can be overcame through IKEA’s full awareness of the market and their application of a vigorous, flexible and convenient strategic approach.

The purpose of this thesis is to acquire knowledge of how Swedish SMEs could use Jugaad as an advantage when internationalizing towards India and as a tool for innovation. The phenomena has been identified and analyzed in relation to innovation theories and internationalization. The research has been done following a qualitative research method, resulting in a deeper understanding of how the phenomenon works and impacts Swedish SMEs. A deductive approach towards the research has been used, due to limited empirical studies of the research phenomena.   Furthermore the literature review includes theories from internationalization, international knowledge, innovation and the phenomena Jugaad. Based upon the literature review a conceptual framework where created, visualizing the relations between the theories. The conceptual framework has further been used when studying the empirical data, collected from four different sources.   The analysis addresses the similarities differences between the theory and empirical findings, based upon the structure of the conceptual framework. The last chapter is conclusion, where the results based upon the analyze, are presented. Furthermore the implications, limitations and what we suggest for further research is presented. The main theoretical implications this thesis has created an understanding of how a Jugaad mindset can enhance innovation and create new market opportunities for companies using a frugal and flexible approach. The practical implications of this thesis resulted in that the phenomena Jugaad were unknown by the respondents. However did the respondents recognize patterns that could be aligned with the phenomena Jugaad, and agreed on the fact that innovation is key to continued success?

<p>This Bachelor thesis studies the internationalization strategy of a Finnish label stock company, UPM Raflatac, in China during the late 1990’s. The purpose of this descriptive study is to facilitate the understanding of companies’ internationalization processes. This was done by studying UPM Raflatac’s internationalization strategy’s connection to the internationalization theories of the Uppsala model and the eclectic paradigm. The findings were established by presenting an Internet based questionnaire for the employees of the company. The results showed that the company did not have a country specific strategy and that the resemblance to the reference material was therefore limited.</p>

台商1980年代對外投資的地點是主要集中於東南亞國家，惟1990年代後期，台商對東南亞的投資明顯減少，但對中國大陸的投資卻快速增加。近來因中國大陸實施新的勞工法、兩稅合一等招商選資政策，加以越南等國積極吸引台商前往投資，已有部份台商轉赴越南、印度、印尼等國家投資，出現新一波台商海外投資風潮。 企業從事海外投資首先面臨的重要課題即為選擇適當之「進入模式（entry mode）」，因進入模式之適當與否將對日後的經營管理與營運績效產生重大影響。企業進入國際市場的策略類型很多，每一類型都與其企業經營目標息息相關。而台商面對眾多影響進入模式的因素時，若無正確的衡量標準而逕赴海外投資，勢必增加其投資風險。 本研究以描述性統計分析、交叉分析及變異數分析等統計方法實證分析台商赴中國大陸及海外其他地區投資之進入模式之比較及影響因素。經實證結果指出，企業之投資動機、企業規模、對外投資國家地區及產業類別對台商赴中國大陸或其他海外地區投資之進入模式之選擇具顯著性影響；國際化經驗對台商赴中國大陸或海外其他地區投資之進入模式無顯著影響。 / In the 1980s, Taiwan’s outward investment mainly went to Southeast Asian countries. However, in the late 1990s, the island’s investment there declined significantly, while in mainland China it rapidly increased. Recently, mainland China has made its promotion of investment by domestic and foreign enterprises alike more selective by implementing a new labor law and a unified corporate income tax rate; and Vietnam and other developing countries have moved vigorously to attract investment from Taiwan. As a result, some Taiwan businesses have shifted their investment to Vietnam, India, Indonesia and other developing countries. This appears to constitute a new trend in Taiwanese overseas investment. The foremost issue for an enterprise investing overseas is choosing an appropriate “entry mode”, because the entry mode will affect the enterprise’s management and performance. There are many kinds of strategies that enterprises use to enter international markets, and every kind is closely related to the goals of the investor. When Taiwan enterprises investing overseas and face numerous factors that affect their entry mode, the lack of appropriate measurement standards will inevitably increase their investment risk. This study uses descriptive statistical analysis, cross-analysis, and ANOVA to analyze empirically the differenced of entry modes and the factors that influence Taiwanese investment in mainland China and other overseas areas. The statistics show that the investment motivation, scale of investing business, outward investment destination, and industry category significantly affect the entry mode that Taiwan enterprises adopt when investing in mainland China and other overseas areas; international experience, however, does not significantly affect the entry mode that Taiwanese enterprises adopt.

Background: The increasing presence of globalization in our everyday life makes it apparent that internationalization is no longer a topic relevant only for a few multinational companies, but for essentially every company that wishes to expand or even survive in their domestic market as well as in foreign markets. In light of this, research on how firm chooses FMEM has surged, and it is evident that it is an important topic. Numerous theories and factors have been examined in order to explain what motivates the choice of FMEM, but there is notable absence in connecting the business model to the FMEM. Despite the increasing attention and prominence of the business model, to date, there is little research that looks at FMEM decisions through a business model perspective.   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to answer the calls for new aspects and theories on the FMEM research field by exploring the role that the business model has on the choice of FMEM. This study will be executed through mapping a company’s business model and FMEM choice by collecting qualitative data through interviews to find links between the business model and the entry mode.   Method: This research is conducted through a qualitative single case study, using in-depth interviews for primary data collection.   Conclusion: The results of the analysis that was based on the empirical findings derived from the data collection, led to several conclusions being drawn. Firstly, the business model of the case company has had a great impact on the choice of FMEM of that company. Secondly, apart from influencing the choice of FMEM, the company’s business model has also contributed to the company further committing to their existing FMEM. Thirdly, as long as the case company intends to operate the same business model, with the same value drivers, it is likely to continue its commitment towards its existing FMEM.

This dissertation studies the importance of alliance networks on firms’ behavior and performance outcomes in the context of the global automotive industry. The first essay examines the importance of alliance networks positions on the persistence of an innovation advantage for a firm. The results contribute to our understanding of network advantages and network structure persistence over time. Building upon network theory, I found that network prominence facilitates the persistence of an innovation advantage over time as network prominence supports a firm’s continuous innovation and can effectively impede imitation by competitors. Conversely, network density and brokerage are negatively associated with the persistence of an innovation advantage over time. Drawn upon organization learning, knowledge transfer, and network literature, the second essay aims to uncover different combinations of a firm’s internal and external knowledge creation capabilities and knowledge transfer capabilities that lead to a firm’s superior innovation performance within different environments. Specifically, using a fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) technique, I identified three possible solutions to a firm’s superior innovation performance. Results from the global automotive industry highlight that the novel knowledge recognition capability, represented by alliance network diversity and structural holes, play a critical role for firms to achieve superior innovation. In the third essay, I explored how MNEs’ host country local network advantages can influence their subsequent entry strategies. Based on a study of 345 FDI entries in the U.S. market, I found that firms with a higher level of local network prominence are more likely to choose greenfield investments over acquisitions in their subsequent entries as local network prominence can facilitate firms’ local resource access and reduce the dependence on forming new cooperative modes in the host country. This study contributes to both the entry mode and network literature by showing the importance of firms’ network positions on their resource access and control in the process of internationalization. In sum, the findings of this dissertation contribute to our understanding of alliance networks and alliance management by providing empirical evidence of the influence of alliance networks on firms’ behavior and performance outcomes.

中共自1978年開始對外開放之後，吸引眾多外國商人前往這個全世界人口最多也是經濟相對落後的國家來投資。當然，臺商也在這些外商之中扮演著對中國大陸投資的角色。臺商的投入大陸市場，多少具有幾分神祕的色彩，為求了解其投資的進入動機及其進入模式的選擇策略，而做此論文研究。Dunning將跨國性企業到被投資國投資的進入模式選擇，基本上定義受到專屬優勢、內部化優勢和被投資國區位優勢的影響。專屬優勢一般多屬於企業本身具有的特質，如企業的規模大小、企業的多國經驗、和發展差異化的產品能力等；內部化優勢主要指的是合約性的風險；區位優勢則主要受到被投資國市場潛能、投資風險、和生產成本的因素影響。OLI模式基本上提出企業的進入模式選擇決策受到OLI因素所左右，各因素間彼此的交互作用，會決定出不同的模式選擇，並因此發展出理論的五個假設，並得到驗證。大陸從計劃經濟過度到市場經濟，一切的體制並不完善，從開放至今始終被各國投資者定義為具有高度風險的市場，但相對的，其具有12億人口的市場，對各國投資者也不失為一重要的投資誘因。臺商為進入大陸地區，也採取了各種不同方式的進入模式。本研究就臺商的投資行為，以Dunning的折衷理論加以驗證其實際的投資進入行為，在臺商的實際投資行為以理論的配合上獲得部份的支持。經由本文的研究，可對臺商進入大陸的投資行為有一大致的了解，以此論文希對後繼研究者有若干的貢獻。對我國提出建議。