Brand Management as an Internationalization Strategy for SME: A Multiple Case Study

ABSTRACT

This research examines the role of branding in the Portuguese SME internationalization process and how the internationalization and brand strategies are articulated in the search for a better business performance within a competitive framework and increasing competitiveness environment. The article aims specifically at: (a) the strategy of creation and brand management; (b) the relevance given to the brand; (c) the importance of brand creation and management in the internationalization strategy. We chose a qualitative methodology, based on four cases studies. Our results suggest that branding strategies of SME cannot be compared with the strategies of multinationals. Budgetary constraints and human resources lead companies to invest in low-cost strategies. The importance of the brand lies in the distinction that allows competition with similar products within the sectors. Management of the brand does not come up as an essential strategy for the internationalization of a Portuguese SME.     

Internationalization of Smaller Firms: Opportunity Development through Networks

This article aims to contribute toward a better understanding of the opportunity development process that rapidly internationalizing small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) undergo. Little is known about how SMEs overcome challenges in the process of recognizing and exploiting market opportunities during their rapid expansion abroad. This article presents a longitudinal case study that illustrates how a firm's relationships with business, social, and political actors enhance its opportunity development during the internationalization process. The findings highlight that conducting matching activities at different levels helps the firm overcome challenges and succeed in developing new opportunities for continued expansion abroad. This study contributes to research on rapidly internationalizing firms by broadening the empirical and theoretical understanding of the opportunity development process for smaller firms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Impact of the Change from Partial to Full Foreign Ownership on the Internationalization of Foreign Subsidiaries

SUMMARY

This paper aims to study how host country firms' internationalization has been impacted by their foreign owners' achievement of full ownership if the companies were not fully foreign-owned at first. It starts with a review of the existing traditional internationalization literature: the Uppsala model, the innovation-related internationalization models and the Finnish model. Then it reviews other research streams: born global, foreign direct investment (FDI) and network literature and the literature on subsidiary roles. A conceptual framework is developed. Then, after a methodology section, four Estonian casestwo from banking and two from the textiles industryare introduced. After the discussion of the results, some managerial and research implications are drawn.     

我国ASP新型运营模式探讨及案例分析

如何在我国成功地实施ASP模式,带动更多的中小企业实现信息化一直是当前我国政府与IT供应商关注的重点.本文通过对ASP内涵的分析,提出了ASP运营需要有多方参与的基本模型,并通过上海某ASP中心运营模式成功变迁过程的分析,具体探讨一个新型的ASP运营模式,并且在案例分析的基础上总结了我国ASP运营模式取得成功的关键要素.     

Applying Psychic Distance to Services Internationalization: A Case Study of Thai Caregivers and Japanese Elderly

This study applied psychic distance concept to the internationalization of healthcare service. The findings found that the psychic distances perceived by Japanese elderly and Thai caregivers toward their counterparts were asymmetric and varied across dimensions. Moreover, the respondents’ experience with a country affected their psychic distance toward that country. These findings extend the theoretical lens by clarifying the key characteristics of psychic distance, especially in international service, that psychic distance from service providers’ and recipients’ perspectives affect service expectation and performance. It also suggests practitioners to arrange working environments and training program to satisfy service providers and recipients.     

The Born-Global Phenomenon: A Comparative Case Study Research

This qualitative, case-based research investigates the most relevant traits shown by several new, export-involved born-global firms and their entrepreneurs-managers versus other more traditional and also recently-established exporting SMEs in a specific geographic region inside Spain. More concretely, we aim to shed light on the type of factors and specific conditions underlying the emergence and further expansion of born-global exporters, as compared to other counterparts, which do not share their rapid internationalising character from inception. From our cross-comparison of four firm cases investigated in this setting against a number of factors generally associated with the born-global or gradual internationalisation paths, our results indicate that both constitute two consistent and distinctive patterns of international development. Another relevant finding in this research is that born globals seem indeed to be more entrepreneurial regarding their export entry behaviour into foreign markets than gradual exporters. Relevant academic, managerial, and policy-making implications are also outlined from these results.     

Marketing Chewing Gum: A Case Study of a Cypriot Company

The purpose of this article is to examine the issues related to the chewing gum marketing practices employed by a Cypriot company importing gum. Thus, the product, its target market, and competition are examined, a SWOT analysis is performed and the marketing mix is presented. Then the results are compared with the international market.

The case study method was employed to gain an initial understanding of the marketing practices employed by the company concerning the production of chewing gum.

The findings showed that the company offers a gum of superior quality, which in two years' time has captured a great share of a very competitive market. The company is giving special attention to the distribution and the promotion of the product.     

Impact of Retail Internationalization on Agribusiness: The Case of Ukraine

This article aims to reveal the impact of the retail internationalization process on the Ukrainian agribusiness. Building on an in-depth survey, we delineate major changes that occur owing to the process. Talking about global retailers, an essential part of their business is connected with selling high-quality products. Because (food) quality and thereby food safety processes are considered to be the highest priority, we concentrate on the agri-food business. Our interest in Ukraine is kindled by ongoing verticalization addressed by foreign retailers and imitated by local firms. As a result, overall quality improvements are observed.     

Internationalization of Clustered Companies and the Influence of Resources: A Case Study on Wine Clusters in Brazil and France

Although the importance of local/regional factors in firms' international competitiveness has been increasingly recognized, few studies have investigated the relationship between clusters and the internationalization process of clustered-firms. This theme assumes special relevance for industries that are predominantly organized in territorial agglomerations, or clusters, as is the case of the wine industry. The objective of this paper is to identify the resources generated by the cluster and analyze their influence in the internationalization process of clustered companies. A case study was carried out on two wine clusters: Provence, in Southern France, and Serra Gaúcha, in Southern Brazil. Resource-based theory provides the underlying analytical framework. Both theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.     

动态网络环境下企业国际化战略转型——基于关系运作与网络演进视角的案例研究

在动态网络环境下,企业国际化行为本质上可以被看成是以跨国机遇发现和价值创造为导向的国际创业的过程,而这一过程中企业关系网络扮演着极为重要的角色.基于对关系网络影响企业国际化机制的分析,文章根据“主动性”网络结构观点和协同演进的思想,构建了关系运作、网络发展与企业国际化成长的协同演进分析框架,企业关系运作行为可以划分为“关系延伸→关系渗透→关系整合”三种演替的形式,而企业的关系网络沿着“本地社会网络-→国际商业网络→全球战略网络”的方向升级,这两者共同融入了企业国际化成长的周期中,并且实质上也是企业国际化行为的重要组成部分.最后结合株洲硬质合金集团有限公司的案例验证了文章理论框架的合理性并给出了相关的政策建议.     

The Transition to E-Commerce: A Case Study of a Rural-Based Travel Agency

ABSTRACT

When the Internet started to establish itself in the corporate world, some observers foresaw a diminishing role for, if not the end to, many intermediary functions. Consequently it has been argued that suppliers will need to use the Internet and related technologies to cut costs and establish closer links with consumers by bypassing organizations that currently play an intermediary role in the traditional transaction system. The objective of this case study is to enhance the understanding of the process of transition from a traditional business model to an e-commerce model. It focuses on a very small business that has successfully navigated the transition to e-commerce.     

我国零售业国际化战略研究

目前,相比外资零售业,我国零售业在国际竞争中处于劣势.文章分析了我国零售业国际化的必要性与可行性,认为本土零售业要想在国际市场上取胜,必须走国际化经营之路,并且有针对性地提出了跨国经营的战略.     

小企业国际化研究:一个概念模型

早期的国际化理论认为企业规模是影响企业国际化的关键因素,并认为企业的国际化过程是顺序的、渐进的.但是小企业的国际化参与,以及瞬间国际化、国际化新投机企业和天生全球化企业等新现象的出现使得传统的国际化理论的现实解释力极大地被削弱.最新的一些研究发现,将企业家理论引入到对小企业国际化过程的研究当中将能够比较好地对小企业国际化现象作出解释,因此,文章在对相关研究进行回顾的基础上,借鉴其他研究领域的相关成果发展出一个新的小企业国际化过程概念模型.     

Internationalization: From incremental to born global

In this paper, we summarize how internationalization research has evolved over time, where it stands today, and how it might evolve going forward. Specifically, we examine internationalization research from earlier times to the present day. We contrast the incremental internationalization characteristic of older multinational enterprises with the early, rapid internationalization of born global firms. The paper summarizes the evolution of research on early internationalization and born global firms, and provides evidence to suggest why this area now has attained legitimacy in scholarly research. We then examine important theoretical issues in born global research and suggest avenues for future research.     

Explicating the Reverse Internationalization Processes of Firms

ABSTRACT

Reverse internationalization (RI) is a crucial phenomenon in a world of globalization; however, research on RI remains scarce. In light of the 2008–2009 economical global crises, many internationalizing firms worldwide have deinternationalized. Given that scholars and functionaries have been sending warning signals about imminent global crisis, revisiting the RI domain and its drivers is a timely and important research area.

This study uses a qualitative approach with a prime objective of exploratory work and theory development of RI. The study explicates the RI phenomenon further, proposes a broader RI conceptualization and an operational definition, and develops propositions and a model to direct future research and assist managers. Grounded in data emerged from field in-depth interviews of senior managers, findings show that RI emerges as a multifaceted formative construct reflecting a reduction in firms’ activities on one or more explicit dimensions. Various internal and external factors foster RI. Since firms apply sophisticated forms of international involvement, RI domain should address its wide-ranging forms with a clearer and richer view that facilitates its conceptualization. Managers learn to pay attention to likely scenarios where episodes in internationalization may arise and lead to RI and of ways to approach them.     

基于综合分析的货币国际化研究

货币国际化是发行国(地区)政治经济实力提升的表现和结果,是其国际政治经济权力增强的重要方式和途径,也是对现行国际货币体系的修正。货币国际化战略的实施需要满足一系列内核条件和支撑条件,这些条件在一定程度上决定了货币国际化的收益和成本。国际货币体系的不稳定性和不平衡性引致了改革的需求,也为新兴经济体的货币国际化提供了契机。货币国际化是一个不断推进的过程,货币发行主体应该根据已经具备的条件,并在成本-收益分析的基础上实现货币国际化的时间演进、层次深化和空间拓展。     

案例研究的目的与评价探析

案例研究与实证研究的根本区别主要在于一为形成理论,一为验证理论。由于案例研究的对象是“个体”,而不是“样本”,案例研究的目的是形成理论而不是检验理论,因此案例研究的评价不能采用统计学上的“信度”和“效度”概念。它主要采用主观性评价。案例研究的评价可以从案例的典型性与启发性、可信任性、可推广性、记录的准确与简洁、逻辑可靠性、理论饱和度、结果的新鲜与重要性等方面来进行。     

我国中小企业外向国际化发展的探讨

相对大企业而言,我国中小企业外向国际化更加重要。中小企业外向国际化理论有两类,即渐进国际化理论和快速国际化理论,两类理论具有互补性,共同解释中小企业外向国际化现象。近年来,我国中小企业外向国际化有了一定的发展,但在政策环境、资金、技术、人才等方面仍存在一些问题,需要研究与解决。     

Case Study

ABSTRACT

This is a case study of one of the highest growth restaurant chains in overall system wide sales and unit growth in restaurant industry history as reported by The Nation's Restaurant News(2001). The inception of a small fledgling restaurant chain in Atlanta, Georgia to a multi-billion dollar company has changed the shape of restaurant industry growth and development. The practices of franchise growth and market penetration have allowed Applebee's International to record double digit profits over the last ten years. Future growth patterns, market saturation, and changing consumer preferences will be challenges that Applebee's will face in the future. This case study will outline Applebee's history and competitive strategies that have made the company successful. Further along in the case study an analysis of franchising in the restaurant industry and the franchising strategies Applebee's has produced over the years. This study will conclude by uncovering future issues that Applebee's may face and pose future questions to ponder about the company.     

Determinants of Successful IT-Enabled Business Innovation： A Case Study from the Perspective of Institutional Entrepreneurship Theory

As the role of information technology （IT） in business innovation becomes increasingly important, an increasing number of organizations have started to consider how to promote IT-enabled business innovation. Although extant studies have identified organization, environment, and innovation＇s characteristics as substantial determinants of IT innovation, they do not emphasize the accompanying innovation in processes, products or services, which distinguish IT-enabled business innovation from general IT innovation. Therefore, the reason why few companies succeed in realizing IT-enabled business innovation remains obscure. Anchored on the institutional entrepreneurship theory, this paper examines determinants of the success of IT-enabled business innovation in a fast-growing company using the case study approach. Our findings indicate that IT-business coordination competency, degree of institutionalization, participation of business managers, top management team＇s （TMT） attitude towards the innovation, and the innovation＇s relative strength, have significant impacts on the success of IT-enabled business innovation. Our findings also contribute to IT innovation research by identifying special determinants of IT-enabled business innovation and redirecting research ranging from innovation in IT itself to IT-enabled innovation in business processes, products or services.