Indian firms' internationalisation research 2000-2020: research fronts and potential pathways

Abstract

Emerging market firms' (EMF) internationalisation has become an increasingly important field of study. While studies on firms' internationalisation and related reviews for some economies are available, the literature synthesising internationalising Indian firms (IIF) research is scant. The purpose of this study is to explore the growth and trend in the IIF literature, identify undercurrents, explore major research fronts and the unique aspects, and suggest potential pathways. A combination of bibliometric analysis and an in-depth literature review on research published between 2000 and 2020 is employed. The study identifies significant contributors and influencers in articles, journals, organisations, and four dominant IIF research fronts. By combining the bibliometric analysis with literature review, this paper aids the IIF researchers by providing them with a bird's eye view of the phenomenon, highlighting the seminal works, prominent authors, dominant research fronts, the progress therein, and the potential pathways ahead.