How important are digitalization and social media for an internationalization process in present time? : A qualitative study based on Swedish SME companies

Abstract: The internationalization processes of entrepreneurship have long been a topic that has interested both entrepreneurs and researchers. In today's society with digitalization tightly integrated in our society, and with the SME business's wide range of e-stores, this study examines the importance of digitization and the use of social media in an internationalization process for Swedish SME businesses. Considering that many of the theories today do not take into account the importance of digital usage, this was a gap that the author wanted to research. In order to investigate this question in the best possible way, the author used a qualitative study where five people were interviewed from five different companies. Based on the empirical collection and literary basis for this study, the author has analyzed the research question and come to some conclusions. The conclusions that this work landed in are the viewing of digitalization and the use of social media as a tool in an internationalization process today, this through both simplifications, but also the possibility of globalization through a screen. Through digitization, you can acquire knowledge of the markets, create relationships and networks, positioning your brand, marketing and sales.