The Importance of Digital Transformation in International Business

This study was developed under the scope of a Portuguese project focused on the entrepreneur’s perspective and perception on the internationalization process of his company: more specifically, about the factors that enhanced the company entry into foreign markets as well as the constraints found in this process. This work focuses on the importance of using digital transformation to integrate technological tools in international business practice and strategy and the obstacles encountered with introducing these new technologies. This study aims to determine the relationships between technology categories and obstacles. The final goal is to assess the impact of these characteristics of the companies by the sector of economic activity, size, and percentage of profits resulting from international expansion. A questionnaire was designed and sent by email to 8183 companies from the AICEP database, distributed by three main activity sectors. A total of 310 valid answers were gathered from the Portuguese internationalized companies. The research limitations are related to the reduced number of interviews. These interviews showed that managers were not aware of the concept of digital transformation and misunderstood the use of digital technologies in the internationalization process of the business. This limitation can add some bias to the qualitative results. In addition to these limitations, the number of responses per sector was also not homogeneous. The practical implications of this study are that managers and top-level executives can use that to better understand how companies could use digital tools and what obstacles they should avoid when they want to internationalize their business. This paper is one of the first research contributions to analyze the impact of digital transformation in the internalization of Portuguese companies.

Internationalizing Quality Assurance Systems With International Accreditations in Slovenian Higher Education

This chapter addresses the internationalization process from the standpoint of international accreditations. More precisely, it explores whether in Slovenia their implementation is affected primarily by globalization or regionalization of (quality assurance in) higher education. Initially, it discusses globalization and regionalization from the standpoint of internationalization and Europeanization of higher education. Then, it overviews the main international (professional) accreditors, which are relevant for Slovenian higher education (institutions). In the continuation, it outlines the internationalization of Slovenian quality assurance system at the national level, whilst afterwards, it concentrates in more detail on the analysis of institutional (internationalization) strategies and official websites of Slovenian higher education institutions with respect to international accreditations. In conclusion, it highlights that having more international accreditations does not necessarily mean more internationalization of (Slovenian) higher education.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON CROSS BORDER ENTREPRENEURSHIP - GEOGRAPHICAL, THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL GAPS

Cross Border Entrepreneurship (CBE) contributes to regional economic development through international opportunities recognition and exploitation. This study tends to explore and review the CBE literature to find the gaps by systematically investigating the existing literature guide by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement. This study emphasis on the country’s classification, perspective area, methods of study, as well as underpinning theories. It reveals 32 relevant research topics of the literature of CBE and highlights four main gaps. First, previous studies of CBE are yet to explore extensively in transition and developing countries. Second, areas of study lack focus on the process of identifying critical issues of CBE. Third, qualitative strategies which enable the specification of new output findings of the CBE are yet explored. Lastly, experiential learning theory, agency theory, financial theory, cash flow theory, locational condition theory, behavioural internationalization process theory, entrepreneurial opportunities theory, and human capital theory yet be utilized and diversified to develop a new understanding of a variety of challenging phenomena in the CBE studies.

The agribusiness industry and the Brazilian soybean producers’ internationalization patterns

The Brazilian soybean producers, seeking competitive advantage and success in their business, understand that the foreign market becomes an alternative to diversify their activities, to seek new sources of income and to reduce dependence on their domestic market. However, the Brazilian context of international trade includes tariff and non-tariff barriers, which may jeopardize any deal, just because a simple price of goods increases or the withdrawal of a closing deal. This study analyzes three soybean exporting companies in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, through a multiple case study, more specifically about the barriers encountered in their internationalization process. All three cases demonstrated a development path toward internationalization, in view of gaining more competitiveness. However, there is still a large intervention by intermediaries, such as trading companies and brokers, in the export of soybean from Rio Grande do Sul. Even though exports are predominant among the soybean producers, the results show elements of hurdling about technical, logistics, sanitary and phytosanitary matters and subsidies.

Internationalization of China’s medical device industry: a case study in Brazil

Purpose The singularity of being the first Chinese manufacturer of drug-eluting stents to arrive in Brazil and the country being selected as the company's first experience outside its home country motivated the interest in the study of this case, vis-à-vis with the characteristic of internationalization medical device companies according to the Uppsala model. Considering this context, the following research question was outlined: “How did Microport internationalize before the distribution of its stents product in Brazil?” The aim of the study is to investigate Microport's internationalization process for the distribution of its drug-eluting stents in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory research under the qualitative method was adopted. It chose the single case study as a procedure for data collection, as it is a revealing, exemplary subject that offers opportunities for access to unusual research. The company MicroPort was chosen because in the period when Chinese medical device companies were focused on gaining market share in China, MicroPort began its international expansion, choosing Brazil as the first country to have its own subsidiary. It consists in the case of the internationalization of a high-tech EMNE in an emerging country that has institutional and cultural differences. Findings Taking advantage of new technology in highly internationalized environments favors its insertion; the internationalization of medical technology can expand according to the Uppsala Model, which does not explain internationalization, but rather its evolution. Cultural and behavioral issues reinforce that the development of the market for medical devices depends on local perspectives and values. The formation of an ecosystem in the local market for internationalization is observed. One implication of the study is that MicroPort's experience and the application of the Uppsala model for international expansion can serve as an important learning experience for Brazilian multinational companies. Research limitations/implications Empirical analysis carried out in the context of a single company. Although the results can be used as lessons learned from the application of the Uppsala model for international expansion of EMNE in an emerging market, caution should be exercised when generalizing its findings. Future studies could carry out comparative cases considering other emerging multinational companies, from the same sector or even from different industries, investing in other emerging markets. There is a limitation of the fact that the case studied does not explore the concepts of the later stages of the Uppsala model. Practical implications High-tech EMNEs internationalizing in other markets need to adopt aggressive strategies. The need to adopt different strategies for supply chain operations according to the specificities of the markets in which they operate. Important contributions to the Uppsala model, with regard to the process of passing stages, learning and networking. The findings of this study have similarities to the process described as a sequence of distinct phases of activities. Social implications A local top management team is essential to deal with institutional issues of government agencies when EMNE is internationalized in a culturally distant market. When there are major institutional differences between the country of origin and the host country, the autonomy in the management of the foreign subsidiary positively influences the acceleration of the internationalization process of companies in the high-tech sector. When there are major institutional differences between the country of origin and the country of destination, the use of local social networks positively influences the acceleration of the internationalization process of companies in the high-technology sector. Originality/value Regardless of these limitations, the study provided an exciting case of internationalization of a Chinese company in Brazil operating in a high-tech medical sector. The challenges for the internationalization of EMNEs continue, which makes it opportune for future studies to include more research in this area. The propositions suggested in the study may be the first step.

The Influence of Socio-Emotional Wealth on the Speed of the Export Development Proces in Family and Non-Family Firms

This paper proposes that family firms do not necessarily internationalize less than non-family businesses, but rather, they do it more slowly. Lower speed of internationalization process of family business (measured by the speed of the export development process) is a consequence of the role of the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) in these firms. SEW operates through three different mechanisms: (1) long-term orientation, (2) risk avoidance, and (3) lack of resources to be independent. The empirical research, based on a panel of more than a thousand Spanish manufacturing firms along nine years (2006-2014), supports the hypothesis proposed, independently of firm’s previous size, age, and export commitment level.

Capacity Building for Internationalization at a Technical University in Kazakhstan

This article discusses the internationalization capacity building project at the Karaganda Technical University (‘KTU’) in Kazakhstan. The project, entitled “Capacity building for the internationalization of a technical university by means of digital learning technologies,” was supported by the fund “Scientific foundations “Mangilik el” (education of the 21st century, fundamental and applied research in the humanities)” for scientists 2020–2022. The project’s primary purpose was to explicate a sustainable strategy for internationalizing a Kazakh technical university, considering the national and international contexts, evaluating internationalization capacity needs, formulating and implementing a capacity-building response for internationalization, and enhancing the qualifications and abilities of students and teachers to an internationally comparable level. In addition, the project delivers a set of strategies for internationalization and a benchmarking methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of internationalization processes. The benchmarking analysis of the internationalization process of a university has been conducted through a classification method, comparative analysis, multi-factor SWOT analysis, and correlation analysis.

Internet Presence and Multilingual Dissemination in Corporate Websites

The development of Information and Communication Technologies has enabled companies to spread messages globally, allowing them to open new markets and reach international clients. In this sense, the multilingual dissemination of corporate information plays a key role, and, for this purpose, websites are great communication vehicles. The aim of this paper is to offer an overview of the internet presence of SMEs in Andalusia, along with their intention to reach international targets via the multilingual dissemination of corporate information, as well as determining the variables that influence these factors. To meet these objectives, a sample of 1425 SMEs has been analyzed. Results show that 52.3% of the companies evaluated had a website and only 10.3% of them offered their content translated to, at least, one language, and that variables such as company size, area of specialty and location may have an impact on these two aspects. The findings reveal that more research and policies are required to support SMEs in their digitalization and internationalization process.

Thoughts for the internationalization of SMES in Ecuador and its institutional framework

Due to their employment and the national GDP, SMEs’ relevance generates interest in promoting their growth through internationalization. From this scenario, its business structure is an advantage for internationalization, allowing greater adaptability to change. Through the Neo Institutional analysis, this research highlights the need to study the game rules that can affect SMEs as an essential factor for developing internationalization as a growth strategy based on the importance of institutions (formal and informal rules of the game) as part of that environment. The result of the investigation points to the conclusion that there would be a strong influence of the institutional environment or framework of the rules of the game in the low levels of internationalization of Ecuadorian SMEs. Therefore, it is necessary to promote actions that improve the said environment (an institutional amalgam of SMEs) and thereby reduce the transaction costs present in the internationalization process and promote a collaborative institutional environment that favors the appearance of incentives that positively affect the business climate for SMEs and, therefore, in their systemic competitiveness.