International Market Expansion Research Articles

Barriers to Digital Transformation in SMEs: Insights from a Bibliometric Analysis

This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the current research landscape concerning digital transformation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Through a series of VOSviewer visualizations, we identify major thematic clusters, emerging research trends, unexplored opportunities, and patterns of author collaboration within the field. Our findings reveal a strong initial focus on crisis management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which gradually shifted towards long-term strategic issues such as business model innovation, digitalization strategies, and international market expansion. The analysis highlights under-researched areas including specific business processes and implications of digital transformation in the manufacturing sector, suggesting fruitful avenues for future research. Additionally, the study maps the collaboration networks among scholars, uncovering both strong interconnections and potential gaps that offer opportunities for new scholarly partnerships. This paper contributes to the strategic knowledge on digital transformation in SMEs by outlining the evolution of research themes over time and suggesting directions for future research collaborations to enhance the digital resilience and competitiveness of SMEs.

A comprehensive review of multilingual leadership: The role of French language skills in global business dynamics

This research paper provides a comprehensive review of multilingual leadership, specifically focusing on the significance of French language skills in the dynamic context of global business dynamics. The study explores the evolution of multilingual leadership, emphasizing the skills required for effective leadership in a globalized business environment. French's historical and economic importance is examined, highlighting its role as a language of diplomacy, cultural symbol, and strategic asset in Francophone regions. The paper delves into the impact of language in global business, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities presented by linguistic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, it explores the importance of French language skills, detailing their strategic implications in international negotiations, relationship-building, and market expansion. The review also assesses current training and development initiatives, offering recommendations for organizations to enhance multilingual leadership skills. The paper concludes with insights into the challenges and opportunities of multilingual leadership. It provides strategic recommendations for organizations to cultivate effective cross-cultural leadership.

Tesla’s Pioneering Role in the New Energy Vehicle Industry: Strategies for Success

Tesla, as a leader in the electric vehicle industry, has achieved significant success in technology and market and has actively contributed to environmental protection and sustainable transportation. Tesla's outstanding global electric vehicle market achievements as a new energy vehicle industry leader are explored in this article. Through its unique differentiation and innovation strategy, Tesla has successfully shaped its brand image and become a leader in the new energy vehicle industry. Tesla's product positioning, marketing model, innovative technology, and competitive advantages are examined in the article. Additionally, Tesla's global strategic layout and ecosystem construction have been extensively discussed. Tesla's successful experience provides significant inspiration for the development of the new energy vehicle industry, which includes technological innovation, brand value, international market expansion, and ecosystem construction. Tesla will keep expanding its global market share, introduce more models and services, and contribute more to the development of the electric vehicle market.

A study of the impact of de-capacity policies on industry capacity utilization paths: Evidence from the Chinese steel industry

The issue of overcapacity has become an unavoidable challenge in the rapid development of nations, constraining economic progress, particularly within industries like steel, coal, and cement. This study, using the example of the Chinese steel industry in the context of supply-side structural reform, employs data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to measure capacity utilization, and ordinary least squares (OLS) models to investigate the impact of capacity reduction policies on the steel industry’s capacity utilization pathways. The research findings indicate that capacity reduction policies have a significantly positive impact on the capacity utilization in the steel industry. They enhance capacity utilization through four pathways: “equipment optimization and upgrade”, “enterprise mergers and restructuring”, “technology innovation-driven”, and “environmental protection regulations”. Among these, “technology innovation-driven” and “environmental protection regulations” play predominant roles, while the effect of “international market expansion” on increasing capacity utilization in the steel industry is not significant. To ensure the sustained effectiveness of capacity reduction policies, the nation should continue to strengthen the “technology innovation-driven” and “environmental protection regulations” pathways. Additionally, it should activate the “national market expansion” pathway, fully exploring the potential for international cooperation to achieve improved capacity utilization in the steel industry.

Analyzing the Sharing Economy from an Economic Model Perspective

The sharing economy is a new economic model that matches idle resources with the demand side through online platforms to achieve resource sharing and optimized utilization. This article analyzes the sharing economy from the perspective of economic models, mainly including platform economy model, co production economy model, and shared consumption economy model. At the same time, the advantages and challenges of the sharing economy were also explored, such as high resource utilization, creating employment opportunities and improving consumer welfare, as well as challenges such as incomplete laws and regulations, increased security risks, and increased inequality. Finally, the development trends and prospects of the sharing economy were envisioned, such as cross-border integration and innovative development, government regulation and regulatory guidance, user trust and brand building, as well as the importance of international cooperation and market expansion.

Navigating Global Markets: The Strategic Role of Roadmaps in International Market Expansion

The potential of adopting roadmaps to support internationalisation strategy is critical to organisations yet it has limited development. The process of introducing products into foreign markets poses considerable challenges due to the presence of numerous uncertainties and assumptions during market selection. Limited research has been conducted on the utilisation of roadmaps specifically for international markets. While scholars have explored roadmaps in various contexts and offered diverse methodologies for their implementation; there is a shortage of literature addressing the process of market expansion. Consequently, there exists limited guidance on the use of a visual, strategic, and collaborative tool to assist companies in developing an internationalisation strategy.
 A qualitative based interview approach was taken where seven interviews were conducted with industry professionals and experts in roadmapping. The aim was to gain experts' insight into the purpose and role of roadmaps during market expansion. The findings show that roadmaps serve varying roles during the process of market expansion but ultimately entail a strategic narrative. All the participants listed different benefits the roadmap had during their market expansion journey illustrating that the multifaceted role of a roadmap links to different elements of market expansion. Therefore, roadmaps should advance the current advice on market analysis and strategy. The paper offers a roadmap tool which is a non- prescriptive guide with prompts to aid in product launch and help with consistency against strategic goals to industry professionals.

Citric Acid Production: Raw Material, Microbial Production, Fermentation Strategy and Global Market: Critical Review

Citric acid is an essential ingredient for the manufacture of (12) key industrial chemicals. Citric acid use is increasing steadily with a high annual growth rate as a result of the development of ever more sophisticated applications. Citric acid is widely utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its low toxicity when compared to other acidulous. Other uses for citric acid can be found in cleaning supplies and detergents. Based on information from a review of the literature, Citric acid production substrates and methods for surface fermentation, submerged fermentation, solid-state fermentation, and international market expansion are all covered in the current review study. Finally, there is still much to learn about the circumstances of the production of citric acid from raw materials, microorganisms, and fermentation techniques to achieve the best production in terms of cost and quality.

Microbial succession and exploration of higher alcohols-producing core bacteria in northern Huangjiu fermentation

Higher alcohols (HAs) are abundant compounds that provide important flavors in Huangjiu, but they also cause hangover. Previous studies have shown the production of HAs to be related to yeast, but the correlations between HAs and other microorganisms are rarely reported. In this study, we detected changes in levels of HAs and microbial dynamics during the Huangjiu fermentation process. Relationships were characterized using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The functional core HA-producing bacteria were selected by bidirectional orthogonal partial least squares (O2PLS). The result showed that 2-methyl-1-propanol, phenethyl alcohol and 3-methyl-1-butanol were the principle HAs present at high levels. Lactococcus and Saccharomyces were predominant at the genus level of bacteria and fungi, respectively. A total of 684 correlations between HAs and microorganisms were established. Five genera were screened as functional core HA-producing bacteria. Our findings might provide some new inspiration for controlling the content of HAs, enhancing international prestige and market expansion of Huangjiu.

Dynamic and ambidextrous: international expansion of digital economy ventures from an emerging market

PurposeThis study aims to explore the internationalization trajectory of emerging country digital economy ventures by specifically concentrating on how ambidexterity facilitates international market expansion. Further, this paper examines how these ventures develop dynamic capabilities by using their ambidextrous skills in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE).Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a multiple-case research design where data were gathered from five digital economy ventures in Turkey, serving an international array of customers.FindingsThe analyses reveal that, to a large extent, internationalization is enabled by the extensive use of ambidextrous skills in the ecosystem domain. We found evidence for practicing exploration and exploitation while interacting with several ecosystem pillars grouped as founder-related, firm-related and business context-related factors. These interactions portray how ventures sense, seize and transform resources to support their international expansion.Originality/valueThis study extends the current literature on internationalization by discussing the role of ambidexterity as a dynamic capability. The findings also demonstrate the EE as a construct to explain international entrepreneurial activity. Further, the study extends the existing literature by considering the calls for research on dynamic capabilities of international new ventures (INVs). Finally, the findings point to several implications both for practitioners and policymakers.

Sleep Disorders Among Commercial Airline Pilots.

BACKGROUND: Over the next 20 yr, international market expansion will necessitate the production of new commercial airplanes and the recruitment of additional crewmembers and technicians. Research has proven that fatigue and lack of sleep are risk factors for impaired cognitive performance and human error. Pilots frequently report fatigue to their employers, which may be related to sleep disturbance. Airline pilots, in particular, often experience circadian desynchronization and other types of sleep disorders. Shift workers have been observed to be at higher risk of fatigue that affects their performance and alertness. In Saudi Arabia, sleep disorders among airline pilots are understudied and underreported. The primary objective of this study was to screen for and determine the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression among pilots.METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with national commercial pilots was conducted from March 2019 to March 2020 using validated questionnaires to screen for the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression.RESULTS: In total, 344 pilots participated in the study. Half the sample was at risk for insomnia and fatigue. Older and more experienced pilots were less likely to suffer impaired sleep quality, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. In total, 59 (17.2%) pilots were at high risk for sleep apnea.CONCLUSION: The current study found that pilots were at risk of developing sleep disorders. A more robust and objective assessment is warranted for screening.Alzehairi A, Alhejaili F, Wali S, Al Qassas I, Balkhyour M, Pandi-Perumal SR. Sleep disorders among commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):937-944.

Sleep Disorders Among Commercial Airline Pilots

BACKGROUND: Over the next 20 yr, international market expansion will necessitate the production of new commercial airplanes and the recruitment of additional crewmembers and technicians. Research has proven that fatigue and lack of sleep are risk factors for impaired cognitive performance and human error. Pilots frequently report fatigue to their employers, which may be related to sleep disturbance. Airline pilots, in particular, often experience circadian desynchronization and other types of sleep disorders. Shift workers have been observed to be at higher risk of fatigue that affects their performance and alertness. In Saudi Arabia, sleep disorders among airline pilots are understudied and underreported. The primary objective of this study was to screen for and determine the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression among pilots.METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study with national commercial pilots was conducted from March 2019 to March 2020 using validated questionnaires to screen for the risk of sleep disorders, fatigue, and depression.RESULTS: In total, 344 pilots participated in the study. Half the sample was at risk for insomnia and fatigue. Older and more experienced pilots were less likely to suffer impaired sleep quality, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. In total, 59 (17.2%) pilots were at high risk for sleep apnea.CONCLUSION: The current study found that pilots were at risk of developing sleep disorders. A more robust and objective assessment is warranted for screening.Alzehairi A, Alhejaili F, Wali S, Al Qassas I, Balkhyour M, Pandi-Perumal SR. Sleep disorders among commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):937–944.

The Rise of Market Approaches to Social Problems: The Case of Fair Trade and Its Uneven Expansion Across the Global South

This study examines international market formation and expansion with a focus on the social regulation of economic activity. I use fair trade as a strategic case because of its centrality in the growing field of civil society–based initiatives that address social and environmental problems via market mechanisms as well as its comparatively long history that encompasses a substantial change in organizational structure. Using a comprehensive data set of current and former World Fair Trade Organization members, I conduct a series of fixed effect zero-inflated negative binomial regression analyses. Results reveal the variable significance of macro-historical conditions and organizational structures that underlie the market’s uneven growth across the global South. I find that organizational linkages to world society, a history of British colonization, and the presence of Peace Corps volunteers enable market formation and expansion. By contrast, French and Portuguese colonial ties have a constraining effect. Additionally, I find that the organizational structure of the market itself is both directly and indirectly consequential for its growth. The shift from idiosyncratic direct sales networks to a formalized labeling system facilitates market expansion and amplifies the importance of global institutions but diminishes the impacts of international political domination.

Vardhman Envirotech: expanding by making world water positive

Complexity academic level The case provides an opportunity for participants to step into the shoes of Doshi and plan a way to expand Vardhman Envirotech (VE) business by either entering the government segment or by undertaking international market expansion. In doing so, participants should understand the existing strategy by taking into consideration the aspects regarding the manner in which VE’s Injection Recharge Well differs from the existing recharge well solutions. VE lack of experience in government segment, as well as international markets provides an interesting context for the case discussion wherein participants have to examine the positives and challenges of both expansion opportunities and decide the way forward. 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. Subject code CSS3: Entrepreneurship.

Owner CEO narcissism, international entrepreneurial orientation and post-entry speed of internationalization: an empirical study of exporting SMEs from China

PurposeThis study explores the impact of owner chief executive officers' (CEO) narcissism on the exporting small to medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) decision-making on the international market expansion speed after their initial entry. Specifically, the authors use the mechanism of firms' international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) to examine how owner CEO narcissism may influence SMEs' post-entry speed of internationalization (PSI), both directly and indirectly.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, the authors draw on data from a two-wave questionnaire and on archival export data from 291 Chinese exporting SMEs in three municipalities and 17 provinces from 2019 to 2020.FindingsThe results support the theoretical predictions that owner CEO narcissism shapes exporting SMEs' decisions on PSI, both directly and indirectly, through the mediation of firm-level IEO.Originality/valueThe study extends emerging research on the role of CEO narcissism in the upper echelons literature into the international marketing (IM) context. It also offers new insights into what drives exporting SMEs' IM decision-making from a psychological microfoundations perspective. Furthermore, the authors theoretically establish and empirically demonstrate the key role of a firm's IEO as a mediator to complement the existing literature's focus on the direct influence of CEO narcissism on firms' internationalization decisions.

QUESTIONING SUSTAINABILITY: ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND CONTRADICTIONS BEHIND INDIA’S ECO-FRIENDLY TEXTILE POLICY

ABSTRACT India's textile industry is among the largest in the world and contributes significantly to India's GDP and economic growth. As the second largest total exporter globally after China with more than 45 million workers, India's textile industry has long been the subject of criticism concerning labour exploitation and environmental damage. Since 2016, nevertheless, Narendra Modi's government has started to take a different yet somewhat perplexing approach to introducing and environmentally friendlier and more sustainable direction in its textile industry. This article aims to comprehend the reasons behind India's new policy arguing that—despite such changes—environmental sustainability has not become India's full concern in the textile sector at the moment. Such a shift was part of India's international market expansion strategy towards the European Union market which had imposed non—tariff import restrictions on India's textile products. This article also shows contradictions and tensions in the government's eco—friendly textile policy concerning its high production costs and India's yet dependence on conventional production systems.

Haier International Strategic Analysis

Haier is a Fortune Global 500 company. Its current reputation and huge market share are derived from its successful internationalization strategy. Its "first difficult then easy" international market expansion method, Brand strategy and Differentiation strategy are groundbreaking, which is deserved to learn for a company hoping to become a multinational enterprise. This article will analyze the environment of Haier’s implementation of its internationalization strategy (1998-2005) and its own development status, then study its strategic methods and ideas, as well as its impact and effects, and finally propose appropriate suggestions for its development in the next five years.

Understanding incubation during foreign market entry: lessons learnt from an illustrative Danish case study

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss business incubation to enter foreign markets in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) countries through the lens of an “international business incubator” (IBI). International market expansion offers huge opportunities for companies to increase their revenue, but there are also challenging tasks such as the establishment of a business company and the occupation of a strategic position abroad. Practitioners consider this process as the act of incubation, but the theoretical discussion lags behind the practice-led debate.Design/methodology/approachAn illustrative, and theory-led, case study is presented that describes market expansion to BRIC countries through a network-based IBI. The empirical case is an illustrative Danish company with international operations in BRIC countries both with and without an IBI.FindingsInternational business incubation represents a process, which can be influenced through an IBI, and business networking during foreign market entry is shaped by IBI brokerage (bridging, bonding and protecting) in different phases. IBI activities that are embedded in business networking support a company’s endeavours in getting a foothold and acquiring a strategic position in BRIC markets and facilitates the market penetration.Research limitations/implicationsThe IBI’s activities to enter foreign markets should be thoroughly managed. Further studies should be conducted with cross-case comparisons and larger samples to reflect on the propositions established.Originality/valueBy linking the business networking theory with the practice-led understanding of business incubation, the study explores an under-conceptualised topic for international business and entrepreneurship scholars. The paper offers an initial understanding of how brokerage interacts with incubation during the entry of new markets.

Expansion to foreign markets: Usaflex

Learning outcomes The case seeks to meet the following educational objectives: provide an understanding of the problems and opportunities faced by a company doing business in a rapidly expanding emerging market. Understand how the foreign environment and industry practices impinge on the company’s strategic conduct. Develop the ability to evaluate strategic internationalization decisions in light of considerations related to uncertainty, risk and commitment. Provide for the application of internationalization theories to a real case involving an emerging country company. Discuss new strategies for international market expansion. Case overview/synopsis This case study is about the strategic change of the Usaflex brand and how it impacted its national and international expansion. Usaflex is a Brazilian footwear company founded in 1998 and acquired in 2016 by a group of partners. The new managers started an accelerated process of national and international expansion. In the domestic market, the company adopted the franchise system and in the international market used licensed stores. In addition, the new management implemented a series of modifications, changing the positioning, design and product variety, as well as the communication strategy. This process took place in a highly negative context, with the domestic market suffering the impact of a strong recession and Brazilian footwear exports losing competitiveness in the international market. Complexity academic level The targeted audience of this case is undergraduate and MBA students of Business Management courses, specifically on International Business courses. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 5: International Business.

On the internationalization of Turkish hospital chains: A dynamic capabilities perspective

How do professional service firms build the capabilities required for effective international operations? Although the internationalization of manufacturing firms is a widely studied topic, the literature on the internationalization of service firms remains scant. The problem is even more acute when it comes to studies of professional services such as healthcare organizations and hospitals. Yet, we encounter remarkable examples of international market expansion by professional service firms. In this paper, we report on a study of large privately-owned hospital operators from the emerging economy of Turkey, based on in-depth interviews with senior executives. Taking advantage of Turkey’s strategic location in the region, these firms have shown extraordinary entrepreneurial initiative expanding their operations beyond the home market over the past two decades. Even more impressive is the creative strategies these firms have been deploying in terms of market entry modes. These range from medical tourism to setting up diagnostic clinics abroad, operating full-service hospitals in key markets, management contracts, and attracting equity capital from international investment firms. We draw from the theory of dynamic capabilities in order to explain the success these firms have had in cultivating international market opportunities. We contend that it takes a variety of organizational capabilities for traditionally domestic-market focused firms to expand into international markets. We provide an integrative discussion and offer implications for advancing knowledge and managerial practice.

Exploiting e-commerce trends for international market expansion: the perspective of Polish fashion firms

Exploiting e-commerce trends for international market expansion: the perspective of Polish fashion firms