International Business Expansion Research Articles

Exploring the Potential of the Blue Economy: A Systematic Review of Strategies for Enhancing International Business in Bangladesh in the context of Indo-Pacific Region

This systematic review aims to provide a methodical analysis of the Blue Economy in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly from the perspective of Bangladesh, focusing on its growth trajectory, key stakeholders, policy frameworks, technological advancements, trade and investment trends, as well as challenges and opportunities for international business expansion. The methods employed a comprehensive search of electronic databases, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify relevant studies for analysis. The results revealed that from 2000 to 2020, the Blue Economy sectors of the country, such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transportation, and tourism, saw notable development. International development agencies, corporations, academic institutions, governments, and civil society organizations are some of the major players in Blue Economy projects. The policy frameworks that facilitate the development of the Blue Economy include integrated ocean management, blue growth initiatives, maritime security and governance, and resilience and adaptation to climate change. Innovation and expansion in the Blue Economy sectors have been fueled by technological breakthroughs, such as autonomous underwater vehicles, renewable energy projects, remote sensing technologies, and marine biotechnology. Rising demand for sustainable goods and services, technical advancement, and regional collaboration have all contributed to an increase in trade and investment in Blue Economy industries internationally. The study concludes that there is significant potential for the Blue Economy in the Indo-Pacific region to drive economic growth, promote social progress, and ensure environmental sustainability. However, challenges such as regulatory complexity, access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation need to be addressed to fully realize this potential. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from governments, businesses, academia, civil society organizations, and international development agencies, along with a focus on sustainable and inclusive development practices.

Адаптація інноваційних стратегій та міжнародна експансія бізнесу в умовах війни

The aim of the article is to analyze the existing innovation strategies of Ukrainian enterprises and, on this basis, to identify their shortcomings and develop recommendations for improving and adapting innovative approaches to the international expansion of Ukrainian business during the wartime. It is substantiated that in the current conditions of wartime Ukraine, financial crisis, geopolitical pressure, lack of structural reforms, enterprises should not stop introducing innovative approaches to production processes, because this will negatively affect their international competitiveness and business expansion. On the contrary, the active production of advanced innovative products that meet the needs and requirements of consumers will be the basis for maintaining a stable position of enterprises in the market and will ensure their effective and stable functioning in the future. The negative consequences of the full-scale military invasion in relation to the implementation of business activities are determined, which include: reduction in the volume of business activities, in particular, a decrease in the number of operating enterprises; significant loss of income; reducing the number of orders, in particular due to migration processes, decrease in the competitiveness of the population, reduction of local and central budgets; overall cost reduction; reduction of wages; suspension of investments; increasing the turnover of labor resources due to migration processes and mobilization of the population; destruction of energy infrastructure, which led to the disruption of stable activities; loss of equipment and employees by enterprises located in the occupied territories and near the front line. On the example of specific companies, innovative strategies used by Ukrainian enterprises during the wartime for business expansion are analyzed, and the possibilities of their adaptation to terrible conditions, support of pre-war activities and the introduction of improved strategies that will contribute to the further development of companies and their entry into foreign markets in new realities, are considered. Using the matrix method, the potential opportunities and existing threats to Ukrainian enterprises are researched with the help of SWOT analysis, ways to improve their innovation strategies are proposed, by introducing which, Ukrainian enterprises will be able to adapt to the constantly changing business environment, strengthen competitiveness at the global level, enter new markets and optimize production processes in conditions of micro- and macroeconomic instability.

Extending Uppsala Model with Springboard Perspective in Emerging Multinational’s Sequential Internationalisation—Evidence from a Construction Company’s Expansion in Africa

The Uppsala model explains the traditional internationalisation process of multinational enterprises (MNEs), which gradually begin to internationalise from countries with smaller psychic distances. However, in the turbulent global economy, an increasing number of MNEs from emerging markets (EMNEs) adopts a more radical and aggressive approach, strategically using international expansion as a springboard to enter an overseas market and radiate surrounding countries and regions. By combining the springboard perspective and the Uppsala model, we analyse a series of processes from EMNE’s first entry into an overseas market to the successful localisation and expansion of international business. This radical model of international expansion has not been thoroughly studied. This empirical study aims to address this research gap by using a qualitative method and an in-depth case study. This paper conducted a semi-structured interview with 16 expatriates, executives, and middle-level managers from the case company in 2016. As one of the few single case studies that systematically studies the internationalisation process of EMNEs and provides first-hand empirical evidence, it contributes to practice and provides a contextual reference for EMNEs.

Experience as a catalyst of export destinations: The ambidextrous connection between international experience and past entrepreneurial experience

This paper examines how different forms of accumulated exploitable knowledge—i.e., export experience with the current firm and past entrepreneurial experience—stimulate export destinations, defined as the number of foreign markets where businesses sell their products/services. The proposed hypotheses are tested on a unique sample of Costa Rican entrepreneurial businesses for 2017. Results from the sequential deductive triangulation analysis (QUAN → qual) reveal that the ambidextrous connection between export experience with the current firm and past entrepreneurial experience is an essential prerequisite for explaining export destination figures. Also, the positive effect of export experience with the current business on export destinations is more prevalent among firms created by serial entrepreneurs. These findings corroborate our argument line on the importance of generative-based learning processes. Furthermore, the results of the qualitative analysis suggest that task-specific international experience and experience gained through past business venturing are relevant micro-foundations of international business expansion in the context of the export destinations of entrepreneurial firms.

International Business Expansion: The Roles of Affiliation and Ownership

The study provides a unique perspective that transcends firm motivations to understand business expansion outcomes, investigating the expansion connection with geography and the characteristics of the companies that pursue it. Specifically, the research evaluates whether selected factors related to the origin and location of expansion, the company’s ownership status and affiliation, and the home and host regions predict a company’s expansion actions as international or domestic. The study uses a random sampling research design and a large sample of instances of company expansion, defined broadly as direct and indirect investments and business development actions. The procedure investigates the phenomenon over the long run, with a focus on prediction. The analysis concludes that affiliation position determines expansion type, with parent companies more likely to pursue international expansion. The paper also offers better understanding of the regions where international business development is more likely, with comparative findings in North America and Europe.

Comparative Cross Cultural Study of Indian Managers' Perspectives On Doing International Business in Bedouin And Guanxi Culture

The purpose of this research article is to comparatively study Indian firms' international cultural challenges of doing business in Bedouin and Chinese business cultures. In this research, the author based on in-depth exploratory qualitative personal interview with 22 Indian international business experts and explores the cultural nuances of international business operations. Specifically, the author content analyses and prepare a comparative analysis (similarities and dissimilarities) of Indian business culture with Bedouin and Chinese business culture. This article thus contributes to international business strategy (IBS) literature centric to Indian firms from a cultural dimension. Comparative analysis on Trompenaar's cultural dimensions, Hofstede's cultural dimensions, CAGE distances and EPRG aspects highlight the challenges of doing business for Indian business managers in Bedouin and Chinese business culture. This would help Indian business managers to take steps to improve international business expansion in China and The Gulf countries. This is one of the first comparative analysis of Indian firms' international expansion difficulties in Bedouin and Chinese business culture.

National Income Inequality and International Business Expansion

We examine the extent to which host country income inequality influences multinational enterprises’ (MNE) expansion strategy for foreign production investment, depending on their specific strategic objectives. Applying a transaction cost framework, we predict that national income inequality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with foreign production investment. As inequality increases, MNEs accrue lower transaction costs arising from interactions with various local actors, leading to higher probability of investment. As income inequality increases further, its effect on location attractiveness will become negative, as its attraction effect is increasingly offset by additional monitoring, bargaining, and security costs owing to the more fractious nature of high inequality societies. In addition, we suggest that the impact of income inequality is contingent on investment objectives: The inverted U-shaped relationship is stronger for efficiency-seeking investment but weaker for market-seeking and competence-enhancing investments. We find substantial support for our hypotheses through an analysis of 27 years (1986-2012) of data on Japanese MNEs’ overseas production entries.

The Need for Legal Framework to Regulate Franchising in Palestine

Franchising has become one of the premier vehicles for international business expansion and the fastest growing way of playing a crucial role in international commercial transactions. Franchising is already practiced in Palestine; however, there is an ambiguity as to the legal nature of franchising work in Palestine and it is not directly regulated by the Palestinian legislature. This article examines the need for a coherent legal regulation of franchising work in Palestine.

Strategic Management Key to Success for Kosovo Companies - Expansion in International European Market

A recent signed Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), an platform that promotes harmonious economic relations and gradually development of a free trading areas between EU and Kosovo, encouraged many companies from this country to start thinking big for international business expansion in Europe. Access in Europe via free trade, is a mine of gold opportunity since it allows reaching a large number of customers in a vast and broad market. Getting and even more competing with European and other international companies for a slight market share, obviously it is a hard "piece of cake". Path to be paved attaining business objectives could be more easily headed applying an appropriate management strategy. Strategic thinking, strategic planning, strategic marketing, and international managerial strategy are pillars that could support and craft any company have a proper approach and successive performance into European market environment.

Strategic Management Key to Success for Kosovo Companies - Expansion in International European Market

A recent signed Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), an platform that promotes harmonious economic relations and gradually development of a free trading areas between EU and Kosovo, encouraged many companies from this country to start thinking big for international business expansion in Europe. Access in Europe via free trade, is a mine of gold opportunity since it allows reaching a large number of customers in a vast and broad market. Getting and even more competing with European and other international companies for a slight market share, obviously it is a hard "piece of cake". Path to be paved attaining business objectives could be more easily headed applying an appropriate management strategy. Strategic thinking, strategic planning, strategic marketing, and international managerial strategy are pillars that could support and craft any company have a proper approach and successive performance into European market environment.

A comparative study of two Thai franchises in international expansion

This paper is an exploratory study examining the determinants influencing the ability of Thai franchisors to successfully expand internationally; its findings are intended to contribute to franchising theory and practice. Cross-case analysis was designed, using two internationalised franchisors that are recipients of the Thailand Franchise Quality Award (TFQA). Franchisors from the education and service sectors were purposely selected as the sample cases. In-depth interviews with the executives involved in international markets and document analysis were conducted to triangulate the findings. Findings indicate that system quality, brand name, network communication, local environments, the franchisor's activities (leadership qualities and the ability to handle stressful situations), and the franchisee selection procedure are all positively associated with success in domestic and international business expansion. Differences in price bonding, type of franchising agreement, geographic distance and cultural difference as concerns with the franchising expansion decision are discussed in this study. A platform for further study is also provided.

Determinants of Academic Startups’ Orientation toward International Business Expansion

This study explores the determinants of academic startups’ orientation toward international business expansion, focusing on their technological capabilities, availability of public support, the regional characteristics of their locations, and the research standards of their parent universities. Using unique survey data on 448 academic startups in Japan and by estimating an ordered logit model, we find that academic startups are strongly oriented toward expanding their businesses internationally if they have strong technological capabilities, receive public support, are established in regions with a high ratio of exporting small firms, or are affiliated with a parent university with an excellent research reputation.

Exploring the institutional perspective on international business expansion: Towards a more detailed conceptual framework

While the general principles of the Institutional Perspective have been widely accepted, there has been only limited consideration to the present time of their in-depth application to the strategies of individual firms engaged in international business. The paper argues that companies engaged in such activities will find that there is a significant gap in precisely what aspects of the formal and informal institutional perspectives need to be identified and assessed for international expansion. The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical paradigm that allows organizations not only to compare different countries with regard to their potential for international business expansion from the perspective of Institutional Theory but also drawing on theories of International Business Strategy where relevant. The theoretical framework assumes that such organizations are engaged in analyzing the institutional arrangements and resources of their home and possible host countries. The paper then develops a conceptual framework that identifies five major components, namely people, power, performance, pathways to international expansion, and productivity, the latter being defined in terms of knowledge and innovation. It explores each of these areas in more depth with the aim of adding a more detailed structure to elements of Institutional Theory relevant to international business expansion.

How do firms survive crime and corruption, on and off the record? An empirical and cross-regional examination among global developing economies

Crime and corruption are ubiquitous worldwide. They have long been both cause and consequence of poverty and various other societal problems around the world, especially in underdeveloped countries. Crime and corruption take different forms, existing at all levels of society and deeply affecting people’s lives, from underground exchanges inside or between businesses, to judiciary or police functions and municipal or national government departments. Undermining both political and economic development, crime and corruption can worsen income polarities and harm the poorest most. Currently there are quite many studies focusing on why firms pay for briberies; however, very few studies have considered how firms deal with crime. This paper empirically studies how firms in developing economies cope with both crime and corruption. To be specific, I look into the potential determinants on why and how much worldwide firms spend on protection payments. Using a unique firm-level dataset extracted from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys from 2006 to 2014, this paper focuses on two types of protection payments made by firms operating in developing economies: (1) open security payments, intended to avoid criminal losses exoterically, and (2) underground bribery payments, intended to meet corrupt government officials’ needs secretly. Overall data on 120 developing countries were extracted, and 105,282 observations became available. I start with ordinary least squares (OLS) to estimate the determinants of how much a firm decides to pay for protection. Furthermore, to alleviate the potential simultaneity problem embedded in the OLS method, I also use probit estimation for the firms’ decisions to pay. Results obtained through multiple statistical and econometric examinations suggest that firm-level characteristics such as employment size, international business connections, labor quality, and expansion experience exert profound and differentiated influence on firms’ payments. Meanwhile, bureaucratic inefficiency and social instability significantly raise firms’ incentive to pay. Firms that are smaller with fewer foreign business connections, lower labor quality, and defective infrastructure tend to pay, and pay more, for protection, as do those firms that have grown faster and longer. Besides, fast expansion makes firms more vulnerable to extortion, and more likely to encounter with crime and corruption. Various tests confirmed the robustness of these findings. There are several important policy implications based on these findings. First of all, governments need to enhance the quality of the society’s infrastructure. This will effectively decrease firms’ extra security expenditures. Also, the government must endeavor to control corruption, especially among those small and less productive firms. Enhanced supervision and auditing procedures must be developed, and create a better growth atmosphere for all firms.

Searching in a global environment

Global information is required to facilitate trade, international business expansion, research and for international comparisons. The amount of data available varies in what exists, its age and its accuracy. Information from one area may not be comparable with that from another. The global searcher needs to consider these points and why information may be findable, prior to searching. Anticipating such issues can aid the search approach – whether via a local search engine or by going directly to a range of websites holding relevant data. Global and national information can come from supranational bodies, governments, public and private sector organizations as well as specialist sites. Some information sources will require payment or a subscription to gain access.

Internationalization dilemma for Brazilian firms: China vs. the Greater Mercosur region

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore, using the conceptual frameworks of psychic distance and resource-based view, how Brazilian firms resolve strategic dilemma. Brazilian firms face a strategic dilemma about whether to diversify and exploit the rapidly growing markets of China or to protect and expand the established markets of the Greater Mercosur region. The strategic responses of Brazilian business to business firms are examined within the context of internationalization decisions. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes a qualitative approach to study the decisions taken by Brazilian firms to deal with the strategic dilemma arising from competitive developments in domestic and regional markets. Findings – Findings support four hypotheses based on the psychic distance and resource-based view frameworks. However, the fifth hypothesis that trust would be an impediment for establishing business in China for Brazilian firms was not supported. Trust did not appear as a concern for Brazilian businesses. Practical implications – Two practical implications can be drawn from the findings. First, Brazilian firms have to consider whether they have made themselves vulnerable to attacks from Chinese firms in the Greater Mercosur region by not aggressively entering the Chinese markets. Second, they also have to understand whether their lack of strong presence in the Chinese markets has resulted not only in lost opportunities but also in making it difficult for them to enter the market later. Originality/value – The paper takes a multi-theoretical approach to provide insights into the international business expansion decisions of firms in a major economy in the Greater Mercosur region. It contributes to the growing literature on firms in emerging economies. By adopting a qualitative approach to study the research questions, the paper provides insights into the behaviors of firms confronting strategic tradeoffs.

Windows on the World: An Experiential Exercise

In Windows on the World, participants explore how national culture differences may affect managerial practices when expanding into another country. In the exercise, a U.S. niche grocery retail chain plans expansion into Brazil and China. The role-play is between a consultant team and a client team that has hired them. The consultant team gives expert advice about which, if any, of the managerial practices in place in the home market might require modification in Brazil or China. Facilitators can suggest “cultural due diligence” as a way to increase the likelihood of successful international business expansion.

Thai Beverage Public Company Limited: Thailand leader, global challenger

Subject area Corporate diversification, product portfolio analysis, industry structure, international business expansion, beverage industry. Study level/applicability The case is suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate MBA strategic management, international business strategy, and marketing strategy courses. Case overview Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) was Thailand's largest beverage company and was among Asia's major alcoholic beverage companies. The case situation takes place during the latter part of August 2010, two years after the public announcement of ThaiBev's ambitious intentions to become a comprehensive and integrated beverage company and after having recently re-launched its acquired Wrangyer energy brand, a move signaling ThaiBev's strong commitment to its non-alcoholic beverages. The case describes the beverage industries at the global, regional, and country level and discusses ThaiBev's range of businesses. Marut Buranasetkul, Senior Vice President of Corporate Service and Deputy Managing Director of Thai Beverage Marketing, the sales and marketing arm of ThaiBev, must decide on the direction for ThaiBev to pursue to bring ThaiBev's non-alcoholic beverages to account for at least 10 percent of the company's total revenue. This case presents a number of important strategic topics, particularly in discussing industry structure and competition, as well as diversification issues encountered by a firm that was attempting to create a greater balance between the revenue contributions from its market leading dominant businesses and that of its younger and newer business lines. Expected learning outcomes Students will: understand the challenges faced by large conglomerates wanting to change their market position; learn to apply different frameworks such as Porter's Five Force Model, portfolio analysis, SWOT and to assess the competitive environment; learn to evaluate a company's current product portfolio and to recommend strategies to improve its allocation of resources; and learn to identify key success factors necessary to compete in a highly competitive industry. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

International development of companies in the modern system of competitive relationship

This article is dedicated to key aspects of the process of international business expansion: preconditions and factors of the international development of the company during the expansion and establishment in today's competitive relations, forms of businesses and enterprises. The authors carry out the brief structural analysis of the companies’ core strategies in terms of access to other countries’ markets; give examples of ways for international development of major Russian and foreign companies, international cooperation and building successful businesses.

International market expansion of “Jintan Nude” in Thailand

Subject area International marketing, new product development, international business expansion, small business management. Study level/applicability This case is intended for senior undergraduate or graduate MBA students taking a course in international business, international marketing, or small business management. Case overview Thai Jintan Company Limited (Thai Jintan) is a medium-sized importer, distributor, and marketer of premium confectionery and health care products in Thailand with the exclusive distribution arrangements of Morishita Jintan Company Limited (Morishita), one of Japan's oldest companies and a leader in the Japanese probiotic and confectionery industry. The case takes place in August 2009, approximately 18 months after Thai Jintan implemented its market launch of Morishita's technologically advanced breath and belly mint under the brand name of Jintan Nude. With a limited promotional budget of 8 million baht (€161,128) coupled with Thailand's regulatory environment for the marketing of food and drugs, Thai Jintan, a newcomer to the breath mint market, was faced with having to devise a resourceful marketing and promotional campaign. Thai Jintan management was confronted with assessing its past marketing plan and deciding on what to do to achieve its ambitious goal of capturing a 20 percent market share of the growing mint/menthol candy confectionery segment in Thailand. Expected learning outcomes After reading and discussing the case, students should have a better understanding of the following: the challenges faced by small businesses and new entrants; learning to apply different frameworks such as PEST or PESTEL, SWOT, and/or Five Forces to scan and assess a competitive environment; familiarizing themselves with different channels members’ roles in a distribution system; learning to evaluate a company's current marketing strategies and to recommend strategies to improve its segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategies and to design a new marketing mix for a new product launch in an overseas market; and learning how to effectively allocate a marketing budget. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available.