Globalization in the business environment today is something that affects almost every firm around the world. It has given opportunities not only to multinational enterprises (MNE) but also to small and medium enterprises (SME). In this study SME food service firms has been one of the main subjects and we find it interesting to investigate their internationalization process in the globalized market. This has been investigated with the help of a network approach and the main purpose of the thesis is to gain a deeper understanding in how SMEs in the food industry use a network approach when going into the international marketplace. The study used a qualitative case study as research method and the data has been gathered and analyzed from an interview with the CEO and founder of a food service firm in Sweden. The findings from the study suggest that it is crucial for SME food service firms to use their networks when expanding internationally. Furthermore, it is important to have a well thought out expansion strategy, including agents in the target market extending to strong market research. Our findings also suggest that SME characteristics are not fully applicable for SMEs in the food service industry. In addition to above, the findings also suggest that internal factors, for example a global mindset, is the strongest force in stimulating firms in the food service industry to start an internationalization process.

Emerging market firms (EMFs) have become a significant contemporary global economic force in terms of their international presence and influence. However, given the extreme poverty and lack of development in their home countries, many Francophone firms in Africa seeking to internationalize lack resources as well as legitimacy in international markets. Compared to higher income emerging markets, Francophone firms in Africa face significantly greater challenges in their internationalization efforts. For such firms, initial internationalization may occur through the former colonial center as a result of “l’effet métropolitain” (or the metropolitan effect). They may take advantage of their French relationship to overcome the disadvantages of being located in underdeveloped countries and markets. Once established in France, they are able to internationalize more broadly. The aim of this research was to investigate “l’effet métropolitain” and learn about the factors influencing the internationalization process of Francophone firms in Africa. To meet these aims, data on internationalization processes of firms from Francophone Africa were collected through case study analysis and semi-structured interviews with senior management of seven, Francophone firms from Africa. The case study findings largely provide confirmation of a proposed model of “l’effet métropolitain” wherein certain firm resources and motivations moderate the internationalization of Francophone firms in Africa to France first and then beyond. / Business Administration/International Business Administration

A partir das narrativas escritas por carnavalescos, o carnaval ganha forma pelas mãos de ferreiros, marceneiros, costureiras, bordadeiras e artesãos. Das favelas para o mundo, as escolas de samba do Rio de Janeiro se organizaram e, juntas, conquistaram respeito e prestígio que se materializaram por meio da construção de um Sambódromo, da Cidade do Samba, dentre outras. Realizou-se estudo de casos de natureza exploratória em que se utilizou fonte de dados primários e secundários, visando verificar as características do sistema de controle gerencial e o processo de internacionalização das escolas de samba. A questão geral é: Os sistemas de controle gerenciais das escolas de samba da cidade do Rio de Janeiro são influenciados pelo fenômeno da internacionalização? Os achados da pesquisa mostram que não, da mesma forma que alguns pesquisadores já observaram que existem circunstâncias em que o processo de internacionalização não implica, necessariamente, em grande complexidade e sofisticação do sistema de controle de gestão. / As from narratives writings, the carnival earns form for the hands of blacksmiths, cabinetmakers, dressmakers and craftsmen. Of the "favelas" for the world, the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro self-organized and, together, conquered respect and prestige that if materialized for half of the construction of the one "Sambódromo", and a City of Samba, out of other. A study was carried out in cases of exploratory nature of using source of primary and secondary data, in order to verify the characteristics of the system of management control and the process of internationalization of the samba schools. The general question is: The management control systems of the samba schools in Rio de Janeiro are influenced by the phenomenon of internationalization? The findings of the survey show that no, the same way that some researchers have observed that there are circumstances in which the process of internationalization does not necessarily implies in great complexity and sophistication of the management control system.

During the past decade, advances in information technology have facilitated the rapid international expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Cloud computing has enabled a new wave of firms to offer services on the web regardless of geographic distances. The aim of this study is to explore how cloud computing affect the external variables network and culture in the internationalization process of an SME. In order to explore the impact on these external variables, a qualitative case study is carried out on a business-to-business SME offering cloud services within small and open economies. The findings explain why closeness was important and why the cloud service firm was limited to a gradual internationalization process although the technology has the potential to break this pattern or accelerate it. The results from this study are valuable for scholars since the internationalization process of cloud service firms is an under-researched area. It is also useful for cloud service SMEs when making strategic decisions in the internationalization process.

Our master dissertation pursued the research question of what the internationalization process of a hybrid firm would look like. To do so, the authors performed an in-depth analysis of a Swedish SME which exhibited characteristics of a hybrid firm. These hybrid firms, as we have named them, use a mixed range of internationalization strategies. An abductive method of research was used in this thesis, as the authors took direction from previous literature and created their own new internationalization process model based on their findings. The main areas of this research focused on the drivers for internationalization and the barriers to internationalization, as well as the market selection and entry mode into foreign countries. This research found that the Swedish SME base their internationalization process on their human resources and the intuition of their management. These two key elements were the foundation for the new hybrid internationalization process model created by the authors.

Despite significant research output in recent decades on international new ventures (INVs),little attention has been paid to understanding the processes and conditions under whichthe entrepreneur identifies and exploits an opportunity and subsequently creates valuewithin the firm. As a result, the dynamics involved in the role of the entrepreneur during theestablishment and internationalization of INVs remain in a black box. In order to understandthe context, interaction among players and other dynamics involved before, during, and afterthe establishment of the INV’s creation and development, a different approach is needed. Theaim of this dissertation is to describe and understand the role of entrepreneurs in the processof establishment and internationalization of international new ventures. Three longitudinal case studies were conducted between 1999 and 2008 with a total of 108interviews using snowball sampling. In addition, comprehensive secondary data have beencollected to enrich the empirical cases with thick descriptions, and to enhance content validityas well as the reliability of the research. This study offers a more nuanced picture of how entrepreneurs’ characteristics influencethe international development of their firms. For example, it appears that it was neitherthe previous foreign experience, the education, nor the previously developed internationalnetwork (as suggested by previous literature) that can be credited for the rapid and vastinternationalization of the case firms. Instead, it is suggested that an entrepreneur’schildhood and prior life story directly influences their behaviour in the INV. We proposethat different types of entrepreneurs are important factors to understanding firms’ differentinternationalization patterns. Depending on the backgrounds of the entrepreneurs, theydeveloped preferences, skills, and especially desires that would come to affect the totalbehaviour of their future organizations. This study also develops the notion of psychicdistance into three separate spaces - the physical, the mental and the social space. Forexample, the context and experience during childhood creates the foundations for theentrepreneurs’ mental and social space, which can separately, but also in relation toeach other, offer a more accurate and deeper understanding of the actions taken by theentrepreneurs in the INV. Furthermore, this study has shown that the role and characteristicsof the entrepreneur do change over time, which also determines the individual’s sensitivity toopportunities and the international behaviour of the company.

The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how knowledge and uncertainty can affect relationship commitment between companies in the international market. Therefore, knowledge accumulation, the various levels of uncertainties and the creation of business relationships will be examined. In order to achieve the purpose of the study the main research problem is formulated: How do Knowledge and uncertainty levels related to relationship commitment of internationalized firms?This thesis is based on the qualitative method since the aim of this study is to understand and analyse a phenomenon not quantitatively to measure it. This research is further based on the deductive approach since we have formulated our main research question on the basis of previous theory and apply it on real life cases. The empirical data is collected through a multiple case study with three companies active on the international market.The study's conclusion indicates that relationship commitment has an impact on knowledge and uncertainty in the international context. We demonstrate this by proving that companies can through relationships accumulate the necessary knowledge needed to reduce uncertainty in international business. Thus reducing the gap between knowledge possessed by the firm and knowledge needed to perform an international activity.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:32:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Lilian Silvestre Laranjeira.pdf: 1522984 bytes, checksum: de7cff7c87be250a6f078e832ac44c25 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-05-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The international expansion for several Brazilian companies is surrounded by challenges, inclusively endogenous, that obstruct their more pro-active attitude in the complex and unstable environment where the globalized organizations operate. Notwithstanding, beginning with the comprehension of the internationalization process, based on the stage models, a firm can provide subsidies to predict and plan its internationalization, in addition, influence other companies. From that, the current dissertation presents the outcomes of research with the general objective being to comprehend the internationalization process of Mormaii Indústria e Comércio, Importação e Exportação de Artigos Esportivos Ltda. between the years 1987 and 2005. This research relies on a qualitative and interpretative study case. Primary data was collected via semi-structured interviews with managers from the organization in Brazil, with the director of the partner company in Germany, with managers of three competitor companies at the international fair ISPO Winter 2006 and with the CEO of a winter sports company in Austria. The auxiliary data came from a documental scientific basis, from the company itself and from the digital media. The data obtained was analyzed in terms of content and significance in order to achieve the categories of explanation. The research results revealed that the internationalization process of this organization has been developed according to the Uppsala Model. There were three consolidated stages of internationalization identified as adopted by the organization. The first two stages were considered emergent while the last stage was a systematic and deliberated process of international expansion activities. / A expansão internacional para muitas empresas brasileiras é cercada de desafios, inclusive endógenos, impedindo uma atitude mais pró-ativa das mesmas frente ao meio complexo e instável em que operam as organizações globalizadas. No entanto, a partir da compreensão do processo de internacionalização com base nos modelos de estágios, a empresa pode gerar subsídios para a previsão e planejamento de sua internacionalização e influenciar demais empresas. Diante disso, a presente dissertação apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa que teve como objetivo geral compreender o processo de internacionalização da Mormaii Indústria e Comércio, Importação e Exportação de Artigos Esportivos Ltda. entre os anos 1987 e 2005. A pesquisa apóia-se na técnica do estudo de caso, de natureza qualitativa e interpretativa. Os dados primários foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com os dirigentes da organização no Brasil, com o dirigente da empresa parceira na Alemanha, com os dirigentes de três empresas concorrentes presentes na feira Internacional ISPO Winter 2006 e com o CEO de uma empresa de esportes de inverno na Áustria. Já os dados secundários foram provenientes de base documental científica, da própria empresa e da mídia digital. Após coletados, os dados foram analisados quanto ao seu conteúdo e significado, visando identificar as categorias de apreciação. Os resultados revelaram que o processo de internacionalização da organização se deu de acordo com o modelo de Uppsala. Foram identificados três estágios consolidados de internacionalização vivenciados pela organização. As duas primeiras foram emergentes enquanto que a última fase ocorreu a partir de um processo sistemático e deliberado de atividades de expansão internacional.

Submitted by Bianca Magnani Tavares (bibimagtav@gmail.com) on 2012-03-10T23:36:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 The internationalization process of family business_vfinal_Bianca (1).pdf: 1204982 bytes, checksum: 4cd11c9372fa7cdcaee82778cc01b79f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Gisele Isaura Hannickel (gisele.hannickel@fgv.br) on 2012-03-12T13:38:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 The internationalization process of family business_vfinal_Bianca (1).pdf: 1204982 bytes, checksum: 4cd11c9372fa7cdcaee82778cc01b79f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-03-12T13:40:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 The internationalization process of family business_vfinal_Bianca (1).pdf: 1204982 bytes, checksum: 4cd11c9372fa7cdcaee82778cc01b79f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-07 / This dissertation aims to identify the family role in the internationalization process of two family businesses: JBS, the world’s largest protein producer and Cutrale one of the world’s leader in the orange juice market. Family businesses have characteristics that are intrinsic to this type of firms. Many of the internationalization reasons or even the way they internationalize has several characteristics that are common among other family businesses. Therefore, through a qualitative research the two case studies were analyzed based on the internationalization and family businesses theories. However, in those companies the role of the family was not a key role on the firms’ internationalization processes. This aroused questions such as whether the size and/ or industry of the company had an impact on the family’s role on the internationalization process of the business. These questions were not the focus of this study but are subsidies for future research. / Essa dissertação procura identificar o papel da família no processo de internacionalização de dois negócios familiares: JBS, a maior empresa de proteína animal do mundo e Cutrale um dos líderes mundiais no mercado de suco de laranja. Empresas familiares possuem características que são intrínsecas a esse tipo de empresa. Muitos dos motivos de se internacionalizar ou mesmo o modo como eles se internacionalizam podem ser extremamente característicos. Assim, através de uma pesquisa qualitativa, os dois estudos de caso foram analisados baseados em teorias de internacionalização de empresas familiares. Porém, nessas companhias estudadas, a família não desempenhou um papel relevante no processo de internacionalização das mesmas. Com esses resultados, questões surgiram, como por exemplo, se o tamanho ou segmento da empresa tiveram um impacto na importância do papel que a família possui no processo de internacionalização. Essas questões não eram o foco do estudo porém fornecem muitos subsídios para uma próxima pesquisa.

Submitted by Gisele Isaura Hannickel (gisele.hannickel@fgv.br) on 2011-11-09T13:52:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação Jean-Edern Lorillon (2).pdf: 953444 bytes, checksum: be84d39bae82169dab2e461de915e57b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Gisele Isaura Hannickel (gisele.hannickel@fgv.br) on 2011-11-09T13:52:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação Jean-Edern Lorillon (2).pdf: 953444 bytes, checksum: be84d39bae82169dab2e461de915e57b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2011-11-09T14:08:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação Jean-Edern Lorillon (2).pdf: 953444 bytes, checksum: be84d39bae82169dab2e461de915e57b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-25 / The study had the main objective of providing a French SME with the information needed to analyze the viability of an internationalization process to Brazil, a difficult path strewn with obstacles. Indeed, many French companies are currently willing to enter the Brazilian market, which is seen as great host country offering numerous opportunities for growth and profitability. However the lack of resources and the many difficulties that have to be dealt with during the internationalization process lead SMEs to carefully analyze the opportunity of an international project before trying to enter the foreign market. Thus, academicals papers were used as references to identify and present administrative, economical and cultural elements that could facilitate or hamper the internationalization process. The main administrative issues presented were the international market selection, the mode of internationalization, and the challenges of the internationalization process. As regards economical elements, we presented the main lending technologies available to SMEs and the impact of lending infrastructures in the host country on credit granting. Finally, in order for the SME to understand the lending process, we presented the banks’ point of view when supplying credit to SME. Cultural aspects that could facilitate or hamper the internationalization process are pointed out through academicals concepts such as 'cultural distance' or 'psychic distance'. We argue that gaps between cultures are likely to generate culture-related difficulties or advantages, and that cultural distance is also likely to impact the entry mode chosen by the company in the host country. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal fornecer subsídios para uma pequena empresa francesa analisar a viabilidade do seu processo de internacionalização no Brasil, um caminho difícil e cheio de obstáculos. De fato, muitas empresas francesas estão tentando entrar no mercado brasileiro, visto como um país que oferece várias oportunidades para o crescimento e rentabilidade destas empresas. No entanto, por causa da falta de recursos e das dificuldades a serem enfrentadas durante o processo de internacionalização, pequenas empresas devem analisar cuidadosamente a viabilidade de um projeto internacional, antes de entrar no mercado estrangeiro. Assim, trabalhos acadêmicos foram usados como referência para identificar e apresentar os aspectos administrativos, econômicos e culturais que poderiam facilitar ou dificultar o processo de internacionalização. Os principais aspectos administrativos apresentados foram a seleção do mercado internacional, o modo de internacionalização e os desafios do processo de internacionalização. Para os aspectos econômicos, apresentamos as principais tecnologias usadas para financiar pequenas e médias empresas, e o impacto das infra-estruturas nessas tecnologias. Também, para que uma PME possa entender o processo de financiamento, apresentamos o ponto de vista dos Bancos. Aspectos culturais que poderiam facilitar ou dificultar o processo de internacionalização são apontados através de conceitos acadêmicos como 'distância cultural' ou 'distância psíquica'. Este trabalho discute também como as diferenças entre as culturas são susceptíveis em gerar dificuldades ou vantagens, e que a distância cultural também pode ter um impacto no modo de entrada escolhido pela empresa no país de acolhimento.