Internationalization as an integrated process: evidence from SMEs in Lusophone Africa
Date
2022-01-02
Authors
Goncalves, Marcus
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
M. Goncalves. 2022. "Internationalization as an integrated process: Evidence from SMEs in Lusophone Africa" Journal of Transnational Management, Volume 27, Issue 1, pp.37-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2022.2073153
Abstract
This study focuses on extant internationalization theories, attempting to elucidate the entry modes adopted by Lusophone African SMEs. It offers a critical overview of the leading frameworks, focusing on their primary attributes, challenges, and pitfalls in depicting similarities in the internationalization process and shortfalls in entry mode predictions. Based on the author’s challenges when investigating 29 Lusophone African SMEs in Mozambique and Angola in 2016, an integrated and more holistic framework for internationalization is proposed. It considers advancements in ICT and business digitalization via the internet, web-enabled tools, and platforms, including social media and online professional communities of practices.