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Recognizing the Role of Networks in Market Entry Mode Decisions of SMEs

Montagová, Jana LU and Vo, Thanh LU (2018) BUSN09 20181
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Following the network perspective on internationalization, this study focuses on the entry mode decisions of SMEs during their foreign expansion. The study conceptualized six network-related factors from existing literature about networks and network theory, and integrated them to the previously recognized internal and external factors in entry mode frameworks. Empirical research design of multiple case study was conducted on four Swedish SMEs to learn about the role of networks and the influence of the six conceptualized network factors on the SMEs’ market entry mode decision. Evidence that informal relationships, multiplexity of relationship and trust together influence such decision can be found in the case studies. Furthermore,... (More)
Following the network perspective on internationalization, this study focuses on the entry mode decisions of SMEs during their foreign expansion. The study conceptualized six network-related factors from existing literature about networks and network theory, and integrated them to the previously recognized internal and external factors in entry mode frameworks. Empirical research design of multiple case study was conducted on four Swedish SMEs to learn about the role of networks and the influence of the six conceptualized network factors on the SMEs’ market entry mode decision. Evidence that informal relationships, multiplexity of relationship and trust together influence such decision can be found in the case studies. Furthermore, findings regarding experiential network knowledge and reputational content of relationships are discussed. The network position factor is found to be present through the whole internationalization process and needs to be assessed by decision-makers not only during the market selection, entry mode selection but also during the development stage in the foreign market. Finally, an integrated framework to market entry mode decisions of SMEs with network theory as one of the theoretical foundations is proposed for further research into this area. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Montagová, Jana LU and Vo, Thanh LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN09 20181
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
internationalization, market entry mode, network, network theory, decision-making framework, SMEs
language
English
id
8951763
date added to LUP
2018-06-28 12:01:32
date last changed
2019-06-01 03:45:32
@misc{8951763,
  abstract     = {{Following the network perspective on internationalization, this study focuses on the entry mode decisions of SMEs during their foreign expansion. The study conceptualized six network-related factors from existing literature about networks and network theory, and integrated them to the previously recognized internal and external factors in entry mode frameworks. Empirical research design of multiple case study was conducted on four Swedish SMEs to learn about the role of networks and the influence of the six conceptualized network factors on the SMEs’ market entry mode decision. Evidence that informal relationships, multiplexity of relationship and trust together influence such decision can be found in the case studies. Furthermore, findings regarding experiential network knowledge and reputational content of relationships are discussed. The network position factor is found to be present through the whole internationalization process and needs to be assessed by decision-makers not only during the market selection, entry mode selection but also during the development stage in the foreign market. Finally, an integrated framework to market entry mode decisions of SMEs with network theory as one of the theoretical foundations is proposed for further research into this area.}},
  author       = {{Montagová, Jana and Vo, Thanh}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Recognizing the Role of Networks in Market Entry Mode Decisions of SMEs}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}