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The Role of Networks and Matching in Market Entry to Emerging Retail Markets

Elg, Ulf LU ; Ghauri, Pervez and Tarnovskaya, Veronika LU (2008) In International Marketing Review 25(6). p.674-699
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market. Design/methodology/approach - The study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted. Findings - It is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the... (More)
Purpose - The purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market. Design/methodology/approach - The study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted. Findings - It is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the development of a positive consumer image. Research limitations/implications - This is a qualitative, in depth study and future research is needed in order to test the generalizability of the proposed framework and models. Practical implications - The paper shows how retail managers can generate the support of different types of actors and relationships when entering new markets. Originality/value - Traditionally consumer product firms' entry to new markets is regarded as a function of dealing with environmental, cultural and legal differences, and adapting products and strategies accordingly. This paper extends understanding by showing that matching and networking capabilities to mobilize resources, actors and activities on global, macro and micro levels are also critical components. It also relates the firm's business relationships with relationships to socio-political actors on the new market. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Market entry, Retailing, International marketing, Emerging markets
in
International Marketing Review
volume
25
issue
6
pages
674 - 699
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • wos:000261711600005
  • scopus:57149140114
ISSN
0265-1335
DOI
10.1108/02651330810915583
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a2768b79-f6a3-4964-80f4-1762e54ca82a (old id 1386622)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:26:31
date last changed
2022-03-21 18:35:12
@article{a2768b79-f6a3-4964-80f4-1762e54ca82a,
  abstract     = {{Purpose - The purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market. Design/methodology/approach - The study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted. Findings - It is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the development of a positive consumer image. Research limitations/implications - This is a qualitative, in depth study and future research is needed in order to test the generalizability of the proposed framework and models. Practical implications - The paper shows how retail managers can generate the support of different types of actors and relationships when entering new markets. Originality/value - Traditionally consumer product firms' entry to new markets is regarded as a function of dealing with environmental, cultural and legal differences, and adapting products and strategies accordingly. This paper extends understanding by showing that matching and networking capabilities to mobilize resources, actors and activities on global, macro and micro levels are also critical components. It also relates the firm's business relationships with relationships to socio-political actors on the new market.}},
  author       = {{Elg, Ulf and Ghauri, Pervez and Tarnovskaya, Veronika}},
  issn         = {{0265-1335}},
  keywords     = {{Market entry; Retailing; International marketing; Emerging markets}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{674--699}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{International Marketing Review}},
  title        = {{The Role of Networks and Matching in Market Entry to Emerging Retail Markets}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02651330810915583}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/02651330810915583}},
  volume       = {{25}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}