In the last couple of decades internationalization of firms has increased all over the world, and banks are not an exception. Different factors are impacting the decision of entering a new market and digitalization is certainly one of the main factors contributing to the internationalization process. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate what the internationalization process looks like for banks originating from the Nordic region and the impact of digitalization on the process as well as how digitalization impacts the banks' effectiveness. The data were acquired using a qualitative multiple case study of five leading banks originating from the Nordic region through semi-structured interviews. Afterward, the collected data was discussed in the literature review chapter in the analysis chapter to detect similarities and differences.  The findings in this thesis revealed that the factors that are evaluated are both internal and external before entering a market and that the significance of each factor varies depending on what bank it is. Additionally, the role of digitalization has also played a big part in how the process of the banks looks and how the current process of internationalizing is done. Instead of expanding which has been the previous focus for these leading banks, the focus has the recent years switched to withdrawing from foreign markets with their physical presence to focusing on offering their services from their home markets and on digital investments. Along with how digitalization has affected Nordic banks' internationalization process, this thesis also presents how effectiveness and assessment are impacted by digitalization.

[pt] As startups, denominação dada as empresas que nascem com forte viés tecnológico e uma cadeia de processos ágeis, têm revolucionado grande parte dos setores da economia, pois alteram o paradigma de prestação de serviços e trazem uma nova experiência para os clientes finais. O viés tecnológico dessas empresas cria um modelo de negócios com potencial de escalabilidade, que possibilita o rompimento das barreiras do mercado interno para prestação de serviços. Dessa forma, podemos dizer que grande parte dessas empresas já nascem globais, ou com desejo que se internacionalizarem tão logo consigam validar seu modelo de negócios no país de origem. O setor de seguros não é diferente. O surgimento de insurtechs têm acelerado o desenvolvimento tecnológico e melhorado a oferta e prestação de serviços aos clientes. Considerando que os riscos sociais de morte e invalidez, na prática, são os mesmos independente do país ou continente, surge a oportunidade de internacionalização para empresas desse setor. Assim, esse trabalho é uma pesquisa aplicada e tem como objetivo de propor um modelo de internacionalização para insurtech Winsocial, baseado nas teorias de Uppsala, Networks e Empreendedorismo Internacional, que juntos formam a linha de pesquisa da evolução comportamental entre as teorias de internacionalização. Essa linha de pesquisa valoriza as atitudes, comportamentos de mercado e redes de relacionamento no processo de internacionalização. Uma importante implicação prática do trabalho é que o modelo proposto resulta em um framework, que pode ser aplicado em outras startups de diversos setores minimizando risco e contribuindo para expandir mercados. / [en] Startups, a name given to companies that are born with a strong technological base and a chain of agile processes, have revolutionized most sectors of the economy, because they change the service paradigm and bring a new experience to end customers. The technology of these companies creates a business model with potential for scalability, which makes it possible to break the barriers of the domestic market to offer products and services. Thus, we can say that most of these companies are already born global, or with a desire for internationalization as soon as they validate their business model in the country of origin. The insurance industry is no different. The emergence of insurtechs has accelerated technological development and improved services offered to customers. Considering that the social risks of death and disability, in practice, are the same regardless of the country or continent, there is an opportunity for internationalization for companies in this sector. Thus, this work is an applied research and aims to propose an internationalization model for Insurtech Winsocial, based on the theories of Uppsala, Networks and International Entrepreneurship, which together form the line of research on behavioral evolution among the theories of internationalization. This line of research values attitudes, market behaviors and relationship networks in the internationalization process. An important practical implication of the work is that the proposed model results in a framework, which can be applied to other startups in different sectors, minimizing risk and contributing to expand markets.

The purpose of this thesis is to study the impact of Industry 4.0 on the backshoring of international companies. As well, this thesis will provide an in-depth look of how backshoring is being carried out under the wave of Industry 4.0. In order to conduct this research, key characteristics concerning the rather new phenomenon of backshoring have been evaluated and later correlated to internationalization and Industry 4.0. In this thesis, an abductive research approach was adopted as the research area was considered rather unexplored. The literature review of this thesis discusses theories regarding internationalization, Industry 4.0 and backshoring. The literature review leads to a conceptual framework that displays interrelations between the different theories. The conceptual framework was next used to investigate the empirical data that was procured from case companies. The findings from this empirical research are then outlined in the following chapter. The analysis chapter presents a comparison between the theory and data, according to the conceptual framework. The final chapter brings together the results from the analysis and integrates insights, limitations, proposals and suggestions for future studies. The main theoretical implications that this thesis has led to involves filling the research gap as well as a definition of the phenomenon of backshoring in a context of international business.The main practical implication is that Industry 4.0 has the potential to enable backshoring for international companies, but there needs to be a balance between cost, quality and availability of skilled labour and infrastructure. While the full effects have yet to be seen, research shows that companies are already taking advantage of increased productivity and efficiency through Industry 4.0 technologies. This thesis presents a new, original perspective on the phenomenon of backshoring, providing fresh insight into the topic. Additionally, this research can be valuable to international companies who have already embraced or plan to invest in Industry 4.0 technologies within their manufacturing process.

The internationalization processes of entrepreneurship have long been a topic that has interested both entrepreneurs and researchers. In today's society with digitalization tightly integrated in our society, and with the SME business's wide range of e-stores, this study examines the importance of digitization and the use of social media in an internationalization process for Swedish SME businesses. Considering that many of the theories today do not take into account the importance of digital usage, this was a gap that the author wanted to research. In order to investigate this question in the best possible way, the author used a qualitative study where five people were interviewed from five different companies. Based on the empirical collection and literary basis for this study, the author has analyzed the research question and come to some conclusions. The conclusions that this work landed in are the viewing of digitalization and the use of social media as a tool in an internationalization process today, this through both simplifications, but also the possibility of globalization through a screen. Through digitization, you can acquire knowledge of the markets, create relationships and networks, positioning your brand, marketing and sales.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role and benefits of relational governance of international networks on the internationalization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Africa. It explored the strategies used by African SMEs to scout, manage, and maintain their relationship with international networks and how these benefited their businesses. Four African SMEs were studied in this respect using qualitative methods and interviews as a means of data collection. Interviews were digitally conducted with the members of top management positions in these SMEs. Prior to this, a literature review was carried out on the subject matter to understand the context of the research. Data collected was analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Furthermore, the results of the study were presented followed by a discussion of findings that showed that relational governance has a positive impact on the internationalization of SMEs in Africa. Some of the SMEs started their internationalization by first exporting to neighboring countries and later to more distant markets. They also were seen to carry out some of their business transactions on a trust basis and manage their relationships in many ways to promote trust and commitment. This study further highlighted some theoretical contributions as it added to current literature and confirmed previously developed theories. Managerial contributions in terms of the availability of the knowledge on SMEs internationalization strategies to the SMEs as well as potential SMEs startups were also highlighted. Suggestions for further research is then proposed on replicating the study using bigger sample size, multiple sectors and not limiting the method of internationalization to only export.

El fenómeno de la globalización ofrece diversas oportunidades de expansión en el exterior, esto se observa en el Perú con el ingreso frecuente de nuevas inversiones de empresas extranjeras que contribuyen al PBI del país. En este proceso de diversificar mercados, el grupo empresarial de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (Pymes) buscan abrirse paso; sin embargo, se enfrenta a mayores barreras y retos. El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo analizar cómo las pymes chilenas proveedoras de servicios para la minería gestionaron su estrategia de internacionalización al mercado peruano durante los años 2015-2018. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio se divide en seis (6) capítulos, los cuales son detallados a continuación. El primer capítulo da a conocer los antecedentes de la investigación, tanto nacionales como internacionales. El segundo capítulo se centra en el plan de investigación, por medio del cual se plantea el problema y los objetivos, tanto principales como específicos. El tercer capítulo hace referencia a la metodología de investigación, en este se describe el marco metodológico el cual incluye el tipo, técnicas e instrumento, y la inmersión en el contexto. Asimismo, se detalle el propósito, la muestra de investigación, diseño y abordaje; y finalmente el procedimiento de la investigación. El cuarto capítulo se presentan los resultados, se realiza un análisis de los mismos y los hallazgos. En el quinto capítulo, se desarrolla la discusión de resultados obtenidos mediante las entrevistas de profundidad de la investigación para así encontrar las brechas. Finalmente, en el sexto capítulo se presentan las conclusiones y las recomendaciones finales de la investigación. / The globalization phenomenon offers diverse opportunities of foreign expansion to the companies; this is observed in Peru through the continuous reception of new investment from foreign companies, which contribute to the GNP of the country. In this process of market diversification, the business group involved by Small and Medium size enterprises (SME) seek to move forward; however, they face higher obstacles and challenges. This research assignment has the purpose to analyze how Chilean small and medium size enterprises suppliers of mining services manage their internationalization into the Peruvian market between the years 2015-2018. Therefore, this assignment will be divided in six (6) chapters, which are as follows. The first chapter involves the background of the investigation, both national and international. The second chapter is focused in the investigation plan in which it is set the problem and objectives, both main and specifics. The third chapter is regarding the investigation methodology in which is described the methodological framework which includes the type, techniques and tools and immersion in the context. Likewise, it is detailed the purpose, the investigation sample, design and approach to the investigation; and finally, the procedure of the investigation. The fourth chapter shows the results, also it is carried out an analysis of them and provide the findings. The fifth chapter develops the corresponding discussion of results obtained in-depth interviews and gaps. Finally, the sixth chapter shows the final conclusions and recommendations of this investigation. / Tesis

A large number of firms around the world are family firms. Many of these family firms are involved in internationalization strategies. Despite the breadth of knowledge on the internationalization of large family firms, not enough attention has been paid to some of the aspects of internationalization. Specifically, the literature is scarce with respect to understanding the mechanisms that may help or harm family firms in their internationalization strategies and the impact of these strategies on firm performance. In my dissertation, I use property rights theory to argue that family firms are able to minimize their negotiating and policing costs, allowing them to benefit from internationalization, but not in all environments. I add to the literature by further finding that family firms internationalize more in environments that have lower levels of legal and political, physical, and intellectual property rights. Also, I find that family firms experience higher performance in environments that have lower levels of property rights protection. Therefore, this dissertation creates various avenues for future research, and provides more evidence toward the superiority of family firms in some, but not all environments.

This work traces the development of the global educational system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After a long period of providing schools for its membership in the Intermountain West of the United States, the Latter-day Saints ultimately settled on a system of supplementary religious education, designed to work in concert with public education systems. During the 1950s as the Church began to gain an international following, Church leaders moved to establish an international system of schools to meet their needs. These schools were largely supervised and directed by Americans personnel. Under the leadership of Church president David O. McKay, large school systems were constructed throughout the Pacific, Mexico, and Chile. As the costs and complexities of these systems multiplied, Church leaders began to take a more structured and systematic approach towards their educational system. Under the direction of Harold B. Lee and other leaders, the Church chose once again to emphasize religious education among its membership, and a large system of supplemental programs were launched across the globe. These new programs were staffed primarily by indigenous personnel, providing strong local leadership. Eventually the majority of the international schools closed in favor of these supplemental programs. By 1980 the basic policies governing the Church Educational System were in place and for the most part these policies continue to govern the system today.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are firms that own and manage income producing commercial real estate for the benefit of their shareholders. The three studies in this dissertation explore topics relating to best practices of REIT management and portfolio composition. Managers and investors can use the findings herein to aide in analyzing a REIT’s performance and determining optimal investment policies. Utilizing REIT from SNL Real Estate and CRSP, the first two studies examine the role of international diversification upon performance, technical efficiency, and scale efficiency. The third study utilizes REIT data to examine technical and scale efficiency over a 21 year window and investigates characteristics of the REITs that affect the levels of efficiency. CHAPTER 1 – PROFITABILITY OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST INTERNATIONALIZATION Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in the United States have grown extremely fast in terms of assets and market capitalization since the early 1990’s. As with many industries, U.S. REITs began acquiring foreign properties as their size grew and they needed to seek new investment opportunities. This paper investigates the role of holding foreign assets upon the total return of U.S. based REITs from 1995 through 2010. We find that holding foreign properties in associated with negative relative performance when risk, size, and other common market factors are controlled for. Interestingly, the source of the negative performance is not related to the two largest areas for foreign investment, Europe and Canada. Instead, the negative performance is iii detected when a REIT begins acquiring properties in other global regions such as Latin America and Asia/Pacific. This paper has broad ramifications for REIT investors and managers alike. CHAPTER 2 – EFFECT OF INTERNATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION BY U.S. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ON COST EFFICIENCY AND SCALE As U.S. based Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have increased their degree and type of holdings overseas, there has yet to a study that has investigated such activity on the REIT’s measures of cost efficiency and scale. Using data from 2010, Data Envelopment Analysis techniques are used to estimate measures of technical and scale efficiency that are then regressed against measures of international diversification and other controls to measure the impact of this global expansion. It is determined that REITs with foreign holdings are significantly larger than domestic REITs and are correspondingly 96% of foreign investing REITs are operating at decreasing returns to scale. Further almost every measure of foreign diversification is negative and significantly impacting scale efficiency. However, simply being a REIT with foreign holdings did positively and significantly associate with higher levels of technical efficiencies. Thus REITs that expand globally may have some advantages in operational efficiency but lose considerably in terms of scale efficiency by increasing their size as they move cross-border. iv CHAPTER 3 – THE EVOLUTION OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to measure technical and scale efficiency of 21 years of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) data. This is the longest, most complete dataset ever analyzed in the REIT efficiency literature and as such makes a significant contribution as prior efficiency studies’ data windows end in the early 2000’s at latest. Overall, REITs appear to continue to operate at decreasing returns to scale despite rapid growth in total assets. Further, there is some evidence of improving technical efficiency overtime; however the finding is not strong. In summation, it appears that REITs have not improved on a relative basis despite the rapid growth, a finding that suggests a potential of a high degree of firm competition in the REIT industry. Finally, firm characteristics such as debt utilization, management and advisory structure, and property type specialization are tested for their impact upon technical and scale efficiency.

Today's global environment poses more and more challenges for higher education institutions to provide learning opportunities that enable students to become globally competent and prepared to face the challenges of an increasingly global society. For many universities, internationalizing their campuses can help students acquire knowledge, skills, and experiences to be able to compete in the global economy and become productive members of a diverse world society. The purpose of the study was to explore the extent to which internationalization had been realized in Florida's public universities by determining (1) whether there was a relationship between articulated commitment and the level of internationalization; (2) whether there was a relationship between curriculum and the level of internationalization; (3) whether there was a relationship between organizational infrastructure and the level of internationalization; (4) whether there was a relationship between funding and the level of internationalization; (5) whether there was a relationship between institutional investment in faculty and the level of internationalization; and (6) whether there was a relationship between international students/student programs and the level of internationalization. Data derived from the internationalization survey were used to analyze the six research questions by employing descriptive statistics, Pearson coefficient of correlation, and Chi-Square tests. There were strong positive correlations between the six categories noted above and the level of internationalization efforts in Florida public universities. Implications for practice include the development of various strategies to help internationalize their campuses and the student learning experience.