A lot of research has been done concerning the internationalization process of companies. However, researchers have identified a new type of firm that is leapfrogging and is operating internationally right after inception. These companies are Born Globals. We are interested in this trend and the purpose of this research is to understand the strategic behaviour of Born Globals. Therefore, we have done qualitative research on these companies and we will focus on their pre-internationalization steps, their key drivers and their relation to the home market. We have found three case companies, who have helped us in our understandings and we have made several conclusions, regarding their strategic behaviour.

The role of governments in the internationalization of the firm had early recognition in prominent seminal studies in international business, such as Hymer’s thesis or the Uppsala Model, though the interaction between multinationals and governments has attracted scarce attention. As such, the main stream of economics and management studies have focused on internationalization essentially as an issue of the firm, wherein the multinationals’ interaction with the environment is limited to a business-industrial scope of suppliers, clients, and competitors. In a different direction, this thesis includes the political setting and studies the beneficial side of governments in the internationalization process of the firm. With this purpose, the present dissertation proposes a conceptual framework based on Johanson and Vahlne’s (1977) internationalization process model, complemented with Williamson’s (1975) Transaction Costs Economics, and encompassed by conceptual insights from institutional studies related to international business. Specifically, the role of governments in the internationalization process is examined through the variances of the relation between knowledge and commitment at the micro, meso, and macro level. The structure of the thesis reflects the multilevel approach, integrating one conceptual and three empirical papers, each of which dealing with a particular level of analysis. Through the aggregation of each paper’s intrinsic contribution, the dissertation’s summary offers a wide view on the internationalization phenomena, adding the political elements to the industrial-business elements of the environment. Overall, internationalization is conceptualized as a process of interaction with the business environment, whereas the public nature of political elements induces the compromise of combining activities between firms and governments. Evidence gives the ground to conclude that internationalization is not a game played just between firms, or, even, between firms and markets, but also with and within governments.

Problem discussion – we identified the gap concerning the lack of researches in exploring the impacts of both business and social networks in B2B companies’ internationalization process based on the network model proposed by Johanson and Mattsson (1988), especially taking the Chinese environmental factors into consideration. Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the importance of environmental factors and networks for B2B companies to internationalize into the Chinese market. Methodology – The thesis adopts the abductive approach and employs a qualitative research strategy. In order to obtain relevant information, multiple case study is chosen. The primary data are collected through semi-structured interviews with three Swedish B2B companies. Secondary data such as scientific articles, reports and books are also used in this thesis. Findings – Firstly, this thesis concludes that B2B companies’ business activities in internationalization process in China are influenced by four environmental factors: cultural, legal, economic and political factor. Secondly, business networks have impacts on the process of international extension, penetration and international integration, whereas the impacts of social networks are clearer in the phase of penetration. Thirdly, in China, there is no clear distinction between business- and social networks, but the building of trust is important in developing networks. Besides, B2B companies have to rely on their local employees when utilizing Guanxi in business activities. Managerial Implications – The managers should not only focus on the advantages, but also constantly perceive the risks in the Chinese market. Besides, managers could also take specific advantages of their Chinese employees’ social networks. Furthermore, managers should connect and coordinate the networks in different countries. Finally, managers could rely on their local employees to utilize Guanxi in business interactions. Theoretical Contribution – Firstly, this thesis identifies four key market environmental factors and their impacts for companies’ business activities in the Chinese market. Secondly, this thesis contributes to Johanson and Mattsson’s (1988) network approach by elaborating on the impacts of both business- and social networks in the three phases respectively. Thirdly, this thesis proposes a new conceptualized model that provides a deeper understanding and a clearer demonstration of the importance of environmental factors and networks when firms internationalize into global markets. Limitations – The results of this thesis might be limited to generalize to all kinds of market segments or industries. Moreover, in this thesis, the impacts of social networks are only identified in the phase of penetration. Keywords - Internationalization process, B2B companies, Environmental factor, Business network, Social network, Network approach, Impacts of network, the Chinese market

Today, many companies are expanding rapidly from their existing geographical area and see internationalization as a necessity in order to continue to grow. On the other hand, there are different conditions that are imposed on companies in order for them to internationalize and are then considered to be international companies. Various factors can influence whether or not a company can be internationalized, so this study aims to investigate why companies failed with their internationalization strategy and internationalization process. The study is limited to examining small Swedish homework help companies and their approach to the internationalization process. The methodology of the study is of a qualitative nature and consists of a comparative case study with emphasis on interviews. The study's results indicate that small companies have not used any specific internationalization strategy. The respondents, on the other hand, highlight the majority of strategic choices that are in line with the study's theoretical perspective according to the Uppsala model's approach. This study concludes that small businesses failed with their internationalization because they did not enter the new market and understood its dynamics. Understanding a new market and correctly applying knowledge is important for successful internationalization. / Idag växer många företag snabbt ur sitt befintliga geografiska område och ser internationalisering som en nödvändighet för att kunna fortsätta växa. Det finns däremot olika villkor som ställs på företag för att de ska kunna internationalisera och sedan anses vara internationella företag. Varierade faktorer kan påverka huruvida ett företag kan internationaliseras eller inte, denna studie har därför som syfte att undersöka varför företag misslyckats med sin internationaliseringsstrategi och internationaliseringsprocess. Studien är avgränsad till att undersöka små svenska läxhjälpsföretag och deras tillvägagångssätt vid internationaliseringsprocessen. Studiens metodologi är av kvalitativ natur och utgörs av en komparativ fallstudie med tonvikt på intervjuer. Studiens resultat indikerar att småföretagen inte använts sig utav någon specifik internationaliseringsstrategi. Respondenterna belyser däremot flertalet strategiska val som är i linje med studiens teoretiska perspektiv enligt Uppsalamodellens tillvägagångssätt. Denna studie konkluderar att småföretagarna misslyckades med sin internationaliserings för att de inte satt sig in i den nya marknaden och förstått dess dynamik. Att förstå en ny marknad och rätt tillämpa kunskap är av vikt för framgångsrik internationalisering.

Background: Growth and innovation are two well-known words in particular for the 21st century, however, no previous studies are focusing on the growth of an innovative firm.  Research question: How does an innovative firm enter the European market? What factors makes the internationalization process on the European market successful for an innovative firm?  Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to identify initiatives implemented by innovative firms in order to ensure successful growth in the international market. It will also highlight the important aspects of an innovative firm internationalizing on the European market.  Theoretical framework: The traditional Uppsala internationalization model is used as a framework for suggestions on how a firm should enter new markets. Furthermore, a theory about internationalization is used and continued with a theory about innovative firms and the chapter ends with the marketing mix.  Methodology: A case study of an innovative firm has been done where a qualitative research approach has been taken. First hand data in terms of interviews together with secondary data in terms of articles and previous research lays as a foundation for the study.  Empirical material: The empirical material is based on interviews with four interview persons from the case company on distance. In combination with this, information has been gathered from company reports and the webpage of the case firm.  Conclusion: The result of this study indicates that innovative firms does not follow all the steps that the theory suggest for internationalization. Continually, the most vital factors that were followed and not followed are highlighted in the conclusion.

Due to the characteristics of software, software products have been considered products with "pure" profits which are suitable to be sold in the international market. Enterprise software is one typical type of software which is mainly sold in business market. More and more enterprise software providers are going abroad to discover opportunities for their enterprise solutions. This thesis is to try to give more suggestions on internationalization for these enterprise software providers. The empirical case is concerning the internationalization of the enterprise software provided by a Swedish software company, Company A. The case happens in the specific geographic area (China) which is far away from the domestic market, the Swedish market. Based on the business network of Company A, Software A has been successfully sold in the Chinese market. The analysis is on the basis of the empirical case and the relevant theories on internationalization. In the context of the empirical case, the nature of enterprise software has been analyzed. Enterprise software is usually tangible and customized, and the internationalization of enterprise software is more relationship-based than mass software products. The discussion about the nature of enterprise software contains the "service" nature of enterprise software, the "service" typology of enterprise software in international marketing and some features of enterprise software which are influencing the internationalization of enterprise software. By understanding the nature of enterprise software, enterprise software providers are capable of crafting international marketing strategies in their internationalization processes. For example, enterprise software providers can develop module-based software or add more self-customization functions to decrease the risks of internationalization. ii Internationalization has been discussed for a long time since the "Uppsala" model was come up in 1977. In the last thirty years, the business environment has been changing with the tendency of expanding through the network-based business relationship. The new "Uppsala" model, which was born in this new business environment, has been leaded me to analyze the success and failure in the empirical case. The internationalization of enterprise software is observed to follow the changes of the four elements in the new "Uppsala" model, in which "opportunities learning" and "trust building" are highlighted in the network-based business environment. The new "Uppsala" model is valuable for today’s internationalization to develop strategies for the more successful internationalization. From understanding the product to understanding the network, enterprise software providers can explore more international opportunities and internationalization strategies for their enterprise software instead of the traditional thinking.

This study takes a deep dive into the internationalization process of the NFL and explains the various steps involved. The study is based on classic theories of internationalization and theories of sports internationalization. The study is mainly made up of secondary data such as newspaper- and journal articles. The results of the study are that the NFL went through a stepwise process which can be connected to previous internationalization literature. However, the results of this study suggest that the process is not as linear as previous literature describes. The study also finds that adaptation plays a key role in sports internationalization. Finally, the thesis contributes to the sports internationalization area by adding more empirical knowledge about this particular branch of the internationalization literature.

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