<p>This thesis follows a qualitative method and aim to describe firms’ international business at an emerging market seen from a network perspective. The purpose of the thesis is to study in what way business relations and networks influence the process of internationalization and describe the way in which companies handle the external network in relation to acquisitions. Further does our purpose include analyzing if a firm’s network may be the main factor for why international business occurs. We also wish to give our recommendations to Swedish firms that have interest in expanding to the Chinese market.</p><p>The conclusions clarify that a network perspective is appropriate when a study of the internationalization of a firm entering an emerging market is performed. The conclusions demonstrate that the external network has a large influence on the international expansion of a firm. The thesis has also contributed to the understanding of the importance of acquisitions and how to reach the best result using an acquisition as an entry mode and foreign operation mode. In our final chapter we also give recommendations to Swedish firms that are interested in expanding to China and also to further research.</p>

This thesis follows a qualitative method and aim to describe firms’ international business at an emerging market seen from a network perspective. The purpose of the thesis is to study in what way business relations and networks influence the process of internationalization and describe the way in which companies handle the external network in relation to acquisitions. Further does our purpose include analyzing if a firm’s network may be the main factor for why international business occurs. We also wish to give our recommendations to Swedish firms that have interest in expanding to the Chinese market. The conclusions clarify that a network perspective is appropriate when a study of the internationalization of a firm entering an emerging market is performed. The conclusions demonstrate that the external network has a large influence on the international expansion of a firm. The thesis has also contributed to the understanding of the importance of acquisitions and how to reach the best result using an acquisition as an entry mode and foreign operation mode. In our final chapter we also give recommendations to Swedish firms that are interested in expanding to China and also to further research.