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There has been an increase in research on the internationalization of so-called born-globalfirms. However, this research primarily focused on the internationalization process duringcalmer times. So far, little attention has been paid to internationalization during times of crisis.Especially for the recently happened COVID-19 crisis, research on the implications for bornglobal internationalization has been neglected. Nonetheless, born-global firms face manyliabilities in their internationalization processes, even getting more severe in times of crisis.This study aims to fill the existing knowledge gap by examining the internationalization ofSwedish born-global firms and their challenges due to COVID-19. Finally, we seek to makerecommendations for firms and entrepreneurs on how to cope with those hurdles.This research was conducted using qualitative semi-structured interviews with the founders orco-founders of six Swedish companies that fit the specifics of a born-global firm.The empirical findings show that all firms internationalize quickly abroad by using variousstrategies. While some follow relatively gradual approaches, others internationalize withintheir home regions or globally from the beginning. Also, the firms faced challenges due toilliquid customers, funding issues, or impeded networking. On the other hand, many companiescould discover new opportunities due to the crisis that supported their survival in abroadmarkets. Herewith the digital infrastructure and being online was distinctive. Eventually, it waspossible to conclude supportive behavioral patterns for entrepreneurs and firms when facingcrises.

In the globalized economy, internationalization is necessary for companies to have a  competitive advantage to survive in the long term and Swedish companies are no exception. However, when Swedish companies enter Japan the cultural differences between the two countries are significant, which may create cultural barriers. There are few cross-cultural studies focusing on communication across cultural barriers that foreign companies face when entering the Japanese market. Also, the research is conducted from a one-way perspective, with less focus on the perspective of the Japanese counterparts. The purpose of this thesis is to identify what cultural barriers a company, with Sweden as the home country, has encountered under the internationalization process when entering Japan from both a Swedish and Japanese point of view. In the qualitative research approach, the empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the employees in a Swedish company HMS Networks AB (HMS), which has internationalized to Japan and has a subsidiary HMS Industrial Networks K.K. in Japan (HMS Japan). These findings were also complemented with secondary data such as corporate websites and annual reports. The empirical data were analyzed into three steps: transcription, systematization, and combination. The results showed that HMS has faced internal and external cultural barriers during the internationalization of the Japanese market. The differences in work culture, language, business relationship created cultural barriers and influenced the communication within and outside of the company. There were more internal cultural barriers than external ones, which has decreased over time, resulting from Japanese society becoming more international and Swedish companies adapting appropriately to Japanese culture. This research thesis will be a tool for creating a deeper understanding and communication of two different cultures. First, language is the most significant cultural barrier to entering foreign markets. Therefore, it is crucial that the company itself provides an opportunity to learn a  language for employees. Second, it demonstrates the importance of deepening the understanding between the parties. International companies should not try to change foreign employees’ way of being but instead consider both cultures and implement a common foundation. Third, it is essential to keep in mind that it takes time to overcome cultural barriers.  Also, when a company internationalizes, cultural barriers may occur from both sides of countries, and they may be interpreted differently in the same situation. Thus, understanding how the other party interprets your culture is important, which will help to reduce cultural barriers.

Recently the research on family firm internationalization has begun to consider socioemotional criteria (Debellis, Rondi, Plakoyiannaki, & De Massis, 2021). The effect of family social capital on internationalization strategies has received limited attention in the family business research (Debellis, Rondi, Plakoyiannaki, & De Massis, 2021). There are studies that focus on social capital and what role that has on operations in family firms. There is also a considerable amount of research regarding internationalization aspects connected to family firms (Arregle, et al., 2021). However, studies that try to link internationalization strategy with family social capital are lacking. This paper aims to fill that gap. The purpose of this study is to research how family firms’ social capital affects their internationalization strategy. The research strategy for this study was a multiple case study, using grounded analysis to analyze the empirical findings. The empirical data for this study has been collected through 8 semi-structured interviews with 7 family firms operating on an international level. The findings of this study show that family firms with strong family governance and social capital positively support internationalization strategy initiatives, especially in the relational dimension of family social capital. The cognitive dimension was not directly linked to as many of the themes that emerged from the data analysis as the relational dimension, but still proved to be of significant importance in the development of internationalization strategies.

Collaboration between institutions in distance learning has been practiced for decades at first domestically and now expanding to an international level. Many higher education institutions are also trying to globalize their learning environments through the internationalization process, especially through the curriculum. A review of the extant literature, however, revealed that collaboration efforts are characterized more by infusion of content from one country to another. Collaboration between two different countries, however, is much more meaningful if both parties are equally involved in co-designing, sharing, and implementing such learning experiences. Such a two-way collaboration process is a missing gap in the literature, which the present study has addressed. This study examined the process of developing a two-way collaborative learning experience between one of the universities in the United States of America and a university in a developing Asian country. The global question that guided this research was: What is involved in the process of developing and designing on-line learning between two different countries; and What are the challenges faced during the process? The research design was a qualitative case study of a process, based on Miles and Huberman's (1994) classification. A micro monitoring process, complemented by interviews with key individuals, was conducted to collect the data. Different sources of data (Yin, 1984) or triangulation (Krathwohl, 1997) was a strategy used to increase the validity of the study. Through the micro monitoring process, all documents such as e-mails, meeting notes, and personal notes were collected and analyzed. Categorization and coding procedures followed Coffey and Artkinson (1996): that is, coding as a "mixture of data reduction and data complication." All the data (from interviews and the micro monitoring process) were reported, analyzed, and interpreted from two different but complementary voices: the voice of reporter and the voice of analyst. The voice of reporter revealed a chronology of events and description whereas the analyst interpreted the meaning of the reporter's descriptive portion. Analysis revealed three major phases that evolved in the process of collaboration: initiation, pre-development, and development. Each phase consisted of several specific activities. The major challenges faced during the process evolved around technical matters. Cultural differences, technical expertise, institutional procedures, financial, and time differences were also a challenge to the process. This study besides confirming some practices also broadened and deepened the concept of collaboration and internationalizing the curriculum. Moreover, this study was able to recommend the follow up development of a process framework for developing and co-designing a collaborative on-line learning experience that involves two different countries. / Ph. D.

This thesis work studies the network model of internationalization for SMEs in the industrial sector, targeting challenges and strategies for expanding into international markets. The research aims to understand how SMEs can develop and leverage relationships within business networks to gain strategic advantages in international markets and how digital technologies can facilitate connection within niche industries such as forestry, wood, and battery production in Northern Sweden. The source of information for this study was retrieved from in-depth interviews that were held with experts with extensive experience in either international industrial sector and/or internationalization, networks, and networking. The insights indicate that credibility and trust are the root in developing strong network ties. Particularly domestic network ties can be leveraged by bridging to boost company’s internationalization. For SMEs strategic partner selection and active relationship management seems effective to stay well-positioned within a network along with having an opportunity to leverage from these ties. Lastly, the dual nature of networking seems to enhance SMEs ability to connect with international networks, maintain and develop international relationships. The study contributes to theory by showcasing the multi-faceted nature of SME internationalization and addresses the significance of combining digital and traditional networking methods. Considering practical implications, the research offers the case company and similar SMEs actionable strategies and enhanced understanding of establishing credibility, engaging with domestic networks along with utilizing institutional agencies to facilitate international expansion. If a company like the case company adopts presented strategies, they can potentially overcome resource limitations and efficiently navigate the multi-dimensional situations of international markets, thus, aiming for successive growth and advantage against competitors.

​This thesis explores the complex decision-making process behind companies' first international market selection, focusing on the influence of cultural similarities and geographic proximity. By examining how these factors intersect with strategic market opportunities, the study aims to provide valuable insights into why certain markets are prioritized during international expansion. The study took on a qualitative approach, conducted through interviews with consultants in internationalization. The data was analyzed with an explorative, abductive approach, with support of the analytical model formed by the literature review. The results reveal a tendency among Swedish companies to prioritize neighboring markets as their first international expansion due to perceived cultural and geographic advantages. While the findings align with the Uppsala model of internationalization, it often leads to a superficial understanding of cultural similarities and neglects comprehensive market analysis. The findings highlight the influence of intuition, gut feeling, coincidences, and personal networks in market selection, which introduces unpredictability into the decision-making process. The study underscores the need for a balanced approach that integrates intuitive decisions with thorough market analysis to avoid missed opportunities and unexpected challenges.

Durante la última década ha aumentado notablemente el interés por China y la multilocalización en el gran gigante asiático, tanto en el campo profesional como en el académico, propiciando el nacimiento de una nueva disciplina en el campo de la administración y dirección de empresas, la multilocalización en China. Las empresas son cada vez más conscientes del papel que China ejerce en su futuro, así como de la necesidad de tenerla presente en su hoja de ruta a fin de lograr una mayor competitividad en el mercado global. En este contexto, se han realizado y se siguen realizando muchos y excelentes trabajos sobre la multilocalización, con notables aportaciones, en especial aquellas relacionadas con sus rendimientos y métodos. Sin embargo, son más bien escasos los trabajos y aportaciones que evalúan los factores que inducen a un rendimiento asimétrico y negativo en la multilocalización de empresas españolas en China. Desde esta última perspectiva el presente estudio realiza una investigación tanto de carácter fundamentalmente explicativo, con el objetivo de obtener información relevante respecto al fenómeno de la gestión de la multilocalización y sus factores asociados en las empresas españolas en China (fenómeno con una reducida muestra), como de carácter exploratorio, ya que es uno de los primeros estudios que busca contrastar su contribución con las teorías existentes en la multilocalización. La tesis se presenta de manera que puede ser entendida como un único tema o como tres líneas de trabajo diferentes respecto a China, ya que aunque toda la investigación gira en torno a la multilocalización en este país, centra su atención en tres factores del proceso diferentes y de carácter crítico. Por tanto, las principales aportaciones del presente trabajo de investigación se han focalizado en la posibilidad de mejorar la efectividad y el rendimiento del proceso de multilocalización en China, elementos de relevancia para políticos, administraciones públicas, directivos e investigadores. En paralelo, se ha constatado cual es el verdadero impacto que tienen ciertos factores en el rendimiento de la multilocalización de empresas españolas en China y finalmente, el estudio proporciona elementos de valor para llevar a cabo una toma de decisiones documentada, el desarrollo de estrategias de empresa o la evaluación de políticas de ayuda para empresas españolas. / Portero Taulet, B. (2013). Factores críticos en la multilocalización de la empresa española: el caso de China [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/32491

Yes / This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of Cloud Computing Utilization (CCU) in the mitigation of informational and marketing barriers for SMEs from the Emerging Market-Countries (EM-SMEs). A quantitative-research methodology was applied to collect data by using self-administered questionnaires from top managers of 227 SMEs based in Iran and Turkey. The study contributes theoretically to both small business and international business literature by developing a new classification of the internationalization barriers that EM-SMEs face, and proposing a series of cloud computing (CC) solutions for mitigating these barriers, resulting in the creation and testing of a new model. The empirical findings confirm that CCU can help EM-SMEs to mitigate a series of informational and marketing barriers. The key practical contributions of the study offer insights to both EM-SMEs and Cloud-Service-Providers (CSPs) on the extent to which CCU is effective in mitigating the internationalization barriers faced by EM-SMEs.