Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate firstly, the motivations of Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs toward internationalization business by exporting and secondly, the similarity motivation in going internationalization among Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs. Method: The multiple cases design is used in this report by conducting semi-structured interview in order to “generate understanding of the study” (Stenbacka, 2001). Two Swedish companies and three Thai companies have been interviewed. Empirical data was collected by face to face and telephone interview for Swedish companies and e-mail for Thai companies. Conclusion: Both Swedish and Thai entrepreneurs are motivated by both internal and external factors in term of going internationalization. However, there are dissimilarities in each motivation factors.

Research on the diversity in the context of internationalization process is rare. Our purpose of this thesis is to conduct a good understanding on diversity of internationalization process in telecommunication industry. Based on Uppsala Internationalization Model (U-Model) of Johanson and Vahlne (1977), we applied a qualitative research method, primary and secondary data collection to perform an empirical study. Afterward we discuss about how organizational diversity, marketing strategy diversity and diversity of core values on Ericsson show up in the process of internationalization. In the conclusion, we put forward our comments on the research problems. Then we also issued a direction on further research.

This essay looks at the problem with the increasing water shortages in three different economic markets. This is done through the perspective of the sustainable water managing company EcoNova, who specializes in innovative water recycling technology for use in the residential development, commercial, marine, sports, tourism, mining and defence industries. Three countries were selected on a basis developed through the empirical findings, resulting in Brazil, China and Spain, where EcoNova’s systems could be successful. The empirical findings defined a number of criteria necessary for a successful market entry; these are demand and needs, financial capability, growth, competition, and psychic distance.   A PESTEL analysis was employed to retain accurate information regarding the above mentioned criteria. Based on this information, an entry model was formulated with a conclusion that Spain should be entered first, followed by Brazil and lastly China. Here follows highlights from each country’s market potentials. Spanish water and wastewater rules are adjusted to the EU standards, which should simplify any expansion within the EU. It is not as hard for a foreign company in Spain to establish their presence in regards to legislative and cultural issues. Products must be certified to meet EU environmental standards, which is the only significant barrier to foreign investment in Spain. The need for specialized technology equipment for water management is an advantage for EcoNova. Brazil is the largest economy in South America and gives an access to other nations that are members of the free-trade agreement Mercosur. There is a non-official “buy Brazilian” policy, which means that having a partnership with a domestic company is important for foreign companies in the wastewater market. The demand for wastewater equipment is high. There are two solutions available to the income disproportion; simplifying the product to lower the price, or introducing the product to the Brazilian Social Action and Sanitation Program, who provides economic resources to wastewater projects. China has a huge market where water supply pricing policies promote wastewater reclamation. The Chinese government is launching extensive environmental protection projects and encourage foreign investors to seek opportunities. There is also an expanding market for smaller water and wastewater facilities in rural areas. Recycled water can be used even in areas that are connected to a municipal sewage. Legislation requires certain areas to construct water reuse system and there is a demand for small, decentralized systems. Close relationships are vital. The Uppsala model, the network approach, and the rational approach have been used to define and compare EcoNova’s internationalization process. It became clear that no internationalization model really fits to EcoNova’s needs, as focus is on other factors. The findings of this research are that a water managing company base its internationalization on firstly the market needs and financial situation, secondly growth opportunities, thirdly the market competition, and finally the psychic distance. These factors have to be matched to the company’s resources, objectives and orientation, so that the perception is aligned with the reality and subsequently achieve a successful market entry.

Background: In today’s business environment it is important to find new customers. An action that has been widely used is to enter foreign markets. Most firms are always seeking to maximize their profits, which can be achieved if an entry into a foreign market is performed. Due the European Union (EU), new economies open their borders for international trade and foreign investments. In 2004 Poland received membership. Even though Poland may be a country with potentials, there are aspects that the firm has to take into consideration in a potential market entry. Among these are market related and firm related factors. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the important factors related to the firm and the market in order to present feasible entry mode(s) which ire can use in a potential entry into the Polish market. Method: The authors have conducted a case study of ire Möbel AB. A qualitative method approach has been used to fulfill the purpose of the thesis. Semi-structured telephone interviews have been used for the empirical findings. The authors want to attain convincing and in depth information in the field of interest, therefore three firm related interviews and three market related interviews have been conducted to obtain valid and reliable empirical results. Conclusion: The case study has led to conclusions on how ire could enter the polish market. ire’s needs and resources have been compared to the Polish market factors and analyzed for pros and cons. The mode that is currently used on ire’s other markets, exporting, is working very well. Equity joint ventures have a three year tax relief but are still considered a quite expensive mode of entry. Other entry modes could be successful, but ire’s size and resources limits the modes available. The thesis has come to the conclusion that exporting and/or equity joint ventures are the modes of entry most appropriate for ire.

Date: 19th, June, 2008 Level: Master Thesis EFO 705, 15 credits Authors: Sixing Guo China guosixing@hotmail.com Pasapoo Upathamwaranon Thailand pasapoo@hotmail.com Title: The Internationalization Process of Toyota in Europe: From the Perspectives of Entry Mode and Network Structure   Tutor: Leif Linnskog Research Problem: In European market, what entry mode did Toyota select? Why did they select those entry modes? And how did they manage their internal and external network structure during the entry mode evolution process?    Purpose: We describe and explain how Toyota conquered the European market from the perspective of entry mode and network. And we also intend to provide some useful information to the companies that want to gain experience before entering into the European market.   Method: We design this thesis as a case study about the entry mode of Toyota in the European market. In order to get an in-depth understanding of the research problem, the qualitative research approach is chosen. During the analysis part, all the information is derived from the secondary documents, such as website, articles and so on. Conclusion: After the analysis the process of Toyota developed in the European market, we found that after careful consideration about both internal and external factors, Toyota usually prefers to conquer a new market with a relevant low risk entry mode, such as exporting or licensing, in the beginning. Then, with the increase of their experience as well as the growth of network, they began to change to a higher risk level entry mode, like joint venture or wholly owned subsidiaries. During the evolution process, in order to provide an effective way of interaction between headquarters and subsidiaries, Toyota’s structure changed from time to time. Keywords: Internationalization, Entry mode, Toyota, Network structure

Given the present situation of environmental problems, clean technologies or cleantech is considered a way of reaching global sustainability and at the same time also seen as an engine of economic growth and fulfilling commitments to social and environmental welfare. Under this background, Swedish cleantech sector have not achieved that much commercial success yet that they are supposed to be while maintaining a reputation of top technological innovative country. The Swedish cleantech sector is dominated by small medium-sized firms (SMEs) and often limited to resources at their disposition. Thus, the Swedish government has designed various policies and export support programs to promote this sector but somehow firms could not reach up to them. Hence, it has become necessary to study the Swedish cleantech firms in order to analyze the existing gap. The purpose of this study is to run an investigation about individual cleantech firms and analyze how they are experiencing Swedish governmental export support programs. On the other hand, this study has also tried to find out what firms really expect from these programs so that it will help to reduce the gap. Based on the study of four cases and one independent interview, the study has shown two different scenarios. In one hand, micro level SMEs specially which are in initial phase of their internationalization process cannot reach up to governmental export support programs due to high acquiring cost and inflexible pre-requirements. On the other hand, small level SMEs which are in mature phase of their internationalization process have faced completely reverse experience than initial phase micro firms but not satisfied with the provided service quality. The study has also revealed that firms with relatively new technology face problems to get support from governmental agencies due to uncertain market performance. The study has further showed, this is not always the high acquiring cost and inflexible conditions, participation in governmental export support programs is also depend on firm’s owns mindset and their business strategy. So, in order to reduce the gap between Swedish governmental export support programs and cleantech firms’ expectations, the studied firms have suggested to implement a proper business model that fits into each type of firms’ needs based on their position in the internationalization process, create a separate institution or agency and Science Park that only deals with cleantech firms issues, and co-operation among the different state cleantech firms and the universities.

Nowadays, the globalization phenomena makes companies of every size think beyond domestic market. However, implement an international strategy that is efficient is not a simple task for firms. Indeed, companies have to respond to market specific context while they have different characteristics. In the literature, with regard to the adaptation/standardization of the marketing mix, most of the researches have built their theories upon the analysis of multinationals’ cases. Little attention has been paid on the cases of SMEs although in different topics of interest it has been seen that these two types of companies do not behave exactly the same ways. Therefore, this thesis aims to find the reasons affecting the SME’s decision of adapting/standardizing the marketing mix and how do they proceed to do so. A qualitative research has been done with one Belgian small-medium enterprise (Bruyere) that evolves in the chocolate industry and more precisely in the market of pralines. The data gathered, thanks to the interview of two managers of Bruyerre, are structured with the theoretical framework beforehand developed. The analysis and discussion section contrasts and compares the theoretical framework and the data gathered. The research brought specific and significant findings about the small-medium Belgian enterprise (Bruyerre). Beyond general factors affecting their decisions either to adapt or standardize the element of the marketing mix strategy across nations, in this case, we found that managers have to build strong relationships with their partners across nations, take into consideration the nature of their product when deciding the strategy of adaptation/standardization and be flexible for their partners’ requests.

Employing a representative sample of small- and medium-sized enterprises, this study examines the performance of immigrant-owned business ventures (IBVs) and firms owned by non-immigrants. The study also presents a comprehensive profile of Canadian IBVs. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that many successful growth-oriented firms have been started and managed by immigrant entrepreneurs. Immigrant business owners are also thought to bring to business start-up unique managerial acumen and social capital derived from diverse experiences and international networks. To date, however, there remains a lack of substantive evidence regarding the performance of immigrant-owned ventures. The study also considers the performance of comparable groups of new firms owned by non-immigrant entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on the relationship between firm internationalization and enterprise performance. The results lend support to arguments that owner-level factors influence the process of internationalization among SMEs and that, compared to non-immigrant business owners, immigrant business owners retain entrepreneurial acumen that is conducive to the internationalization of young ventures. The implications of the findings for research and policy are considered.

Employing a representative sample of small- and medium-sized enterprises, this study examines the performance of immigrant-owned business ventures (IBVs) and firms owned by non-immigrants. The study also presents a comprehensive profile of Canadian IBVs. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that many successful growth-oriented firms have been started and managed by immigrant entrepreneurs. Immigrant business owners are also thought to bring to business start-up unique managerial acumen and social capital derived from diverse experiences and international networks. To date, however, there remains a lack of substantive evidence regarding the performance of immigrant-owned ventures. The study also considers the performance of comparable groups of new firms owned by non-immigrant entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on the relationship between firm internationalization and enterprise performance. The results lend support to arguments that owner-level factors influence the process of internationalization among SMEs and that, compared to non-immigrant business owners, immigrant business owners retain entrepreneurial acumen that is conducive to the internationalization of young ventures. The implications of the findings for research and policy are considered.

More and more SME’s, which create entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, which are primarily responsible for wealth and economic growth, are internationalizing. This increases their probability of business closure due to the increased risk they face from operating in foreign markets. Much of the world blames the U.S. financial excesses for these business closures, but at the same time there are also SME’s withdrawing activities from foreign markets in economic stable times. This indicates that there are more and other reasons for de-internationalization and raises the problem of how do SME’s close their businesses in foreign markets. The purpose of this study is to explore how the drivers and determinants of deinternationalization affect the form and the paths of de-internationalization for SME’s. The aim is to provide and contribute to a better understanding of deinternationalization. This was studied through developing four case studies with Dutch SME’s with a qualitative research approach. For empirical data collection interviews were conducted with the persons closely involved with the de-internationalization of the SME’s. This in combination with the developed theoretical framework, based on a theory discussion and synthesis, provided more insight into the de-internationalization topic. The findings of this study show that a unique combination of drivers and determinants of de-internationalization is present in each case study and the relative influence of them differs. Most of the de-internationalization took place in a voluntary way, due to the nature and predictability of the occurring drivers. Moreover, it was found that the drivers of de-internationalization combined with the determinants influence the form in which de-internationalization can take place. It was also found that the form of deinternationalization, which SME’s have chosen, determines the two paths of deinternationalization, which are partial divestment and full market exit. This study contributes to the better understanding of de-internationalization, by identifying the forms and paths which SME’s can choose when withdrawing activities in foreign markets. Moreover, the main drivers and determinants have been identified and it was analysed how they affect the different forms and paths of de-internationalization and this was conceptualized in a model. The recommendations are, that deinternationalization should be seen as a strategic option SME’s have and should be considered in corporate strategies. Therefore, the associations with this phenomenon could be seen (more) positive.