BORN DIGITALS A Multiple Case Study on the Internationalization Process of Nordic Healthtech Firms

Abstract: The entrance of digital technologies has led to the emergence of Born Digital firms, who internationalize by digitalizing their value chain. Prior research on the internationalization process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has to a large extent focused on the phenomenon of early and rapid internationalization due to technological innovations facilitating this process, as well as the importance of networks therein. However, little attention has been directed towards digitalized value chains and how they affect the internationalization process in the healthtech service sector. In order to address this research gap, this thesis focuses on the case studies of nine Nordic healthtech companies and analyzes qualitative interview data on their internationalization process. The analysis concludes that Born Digitals in the healthtech service sector are born at home rather than born global, and that firms with a digitalized value chain have the opportunity to be global if they desire to, only that they are restrained by national regulations. As such they gradually expand, however quicker than traditional companies because of digital opportunities decreasing the need for a physical presence. The findings also conclude that a short psychic distance or a need for digital healthcare services are crucial factors in the decision of which foreign markets Nordic healthtech firms expand to. Lastly, as gaining credibility in networks is time consuming for healthcare providers, the findings show that foreign expansion is a gradual process across networks for Born Digitals in the healthcare sector.