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The World is Your Office

Palmgren, William LU ; Aminoff, Gustav LU and Larson, Filip LU (2025) IBUH19 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Research Question: How do Swedish coworking firms internationalise, and what are the Key
Success Factors allowing for a successful internationalisation?
Purpose: This study investigates what drives international expansion for Swedish coworking
firms. It also sees why these internationalisation projects were or were not successful. By
identifying the key factors behind the projects, the study aims to contribute to the research gap
in internationalisation strategies undertaken by coworking firms.
Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical frameworks analysed within the scope of this
paper are well established and grounded internationalisation theories (with a main focus on
the Uppsala Model), and the managerial framework - the... (More)
Research Question: How do Swedish coworking firms internationalise, and what are the Key
Success Factors allowing for a successful internationalisation?
Purpose: This study investigates what drives international expansion for Swedish coworking
firms. It also sees why these internationalisation projects were or were not successful. By
identifying the key factors behind the projects, the study aims to contribute to the research gap
in internationalisation strategies undertaken by coworking firms.
Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical frameworks analysed within the scope of this
paper are well established and grounded internationalisation theories (with a main focus on
the Uppsala Model), and the managerial framework - the Resource-based View. Specifically,
psychic distance, liability of outsidership versus liability of foreignness, and the VRIN
framework. These frameworks are linked to identify key success factors for the sampled
firms.
Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with
representatives from the selected Swedish coworking firms that have expanded
internationally. A thematic analysis approach was then used to structure and analyse the
collected empirical data.
Results: The empirical data is based on interviews with three Swedish coworking firms,
complemented by secondary data. The combined data identifies the importance of
client-following, identifying opportunities before members, local partnerships (network), a
2
niche positioning, and flexibility when internationalising. By managing the aforementioned,
this study finds coworking firms can mitigate the risks involved with internationalisation.
Conclusion: The study shows that the Swedish coworking firms which succeeded had more
similarities than differences. They thought long-term, worked towards member retention,
developed strong networks, and had strong product offerings. Interesting future research could
explore a larger sample size, look at different countries of origin, and analyse the habits of the
market’s current dominant international players. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Palmgren, William LU ; Aminoff, Gustav LU and Larson, Filip LU
supervisor
organization
course
IBUH19 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
internationalisation, coworking, Uppsala Model, Resource-based View, service firms, Key Success Factors
language
English
id
9205456
date added to LUP
2025-06-26 08:58:43
date last changed
2025-06-26 08:58:43
@misc{9205456,
  abstract     = {{Research Question: How do Swedish coworking firms internationalise, and what are the Key
Success Factors allowing for a successful internationalisation?
Purpose: This study investigates what drives international expansion for Swedish coworking
firms. It also sees why these internationalisation projects were or were not successful. By
identifying the key factors behind the projects, the study aims to contribute to the research gap
in internationalisation strategies undertaken by coworking firms.
Theoretical Perspectives: The theoretical frameworks analysed within the scope of this
paper are well established and grounded internationalisation theories (with a main focus on
the Uppsala Model), and the managerial framework - the Resource-based View. Specifically,
psychic distance, liability of outsidership versus liability of foreignness, and the VRIN
framework. These frameworks are linked to identify key success factors for the sampled
firms.
Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with
representatives from the selected Swedish coworking firms that have expanded
internationally. A thematic analysis approach was then used to structure and analyse the
collected empirical data.
Results: The empirical data is based on interviews with three Swedish coworking firms,
complemented by secondary data. The combined data identifies the importance of
client-following, identifying opportunities before members, local partnerships (network), a
2
niche positioning, and flexibility when internationalising. By managing the aforementioned,
this study finds coworking firms can mitigate the risks involved with internationalisation.
Conclusion: The study shows that the Swedish coworking firms which succeeded had more
similarities than differences. They thought long-term, worked towards member retention,
developed strong networks, and had strong product offerings. Interesting future research could
explore a larger sample size, look at different countries of origin, and analyse the habits of the
market’s current dominant international players.}},
  author       = {{Palmgren, William and Aminoff, Gustav and Larson, Filip}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The World is Your Office}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}