How to characterize internationalization speed : A qualitative study of Born digitals’ internationalization processes.
Abstract: During the last few years, there has been a shift from a physical to a digital focus within companies. In line with the digital transformation, the number of born digitals has increased in the market. Born digitals often exclude stages in the traditional internationalization theories and use different strategies to reach new markets rapidly. The aim of this thesis is to widen the understanding of born digital internationalization and identify characteristics of the speed. To investigate characteristics we conducted semi-structured interviews with managers of born digital firms. The Gioia method was used to analyze the empirical data and three aggregated dimensions were characterized; an aligned growth strategy, level of digital presence and network capacity, and the ability to change. The internationalization strategy and speed varied between the companies depending on different barriers in terms of e.g. culture or legal circumstances. The digital transformation has also entailed companies to have a digital presence in all countries worldwide and tailor their business models digitally. Some companies can leverage their business model to foreign countries to accelerate the internationalization without having a local office in that particular country, while other firms are in greater need of establishing a local presence to manage e.g. their network with authorities in order to internationalize to particular countries. The ability to perform changes in the business model of a born digital company might be another characteristic, to meet customer demands in different foreign countries. In conclusion, digital business models could result in new opportunities which could affect the speed of internationalization in different ways. Keywords: Born digitals, Internationalization speed, the Uppsala model, Digital presence, Network.
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