Organic Pathway And Born Global Pathway

Diploma thesis

The role of networks in the internationalization of born global and traditional SMEs
A qualitative and comparative analysis of the impact of networks on the internationalization of born global and small- and medium sized enterprises in California

Vienna University of Economics and Business
University of California, Irvine – Neurus-Icurd research program 2011

Marlis Martina Monsberger
0552171
International Business

________________________________________________________________________ Indices

Table of Contents
1.

2.

3.

Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.1.

Relevance of the topic...................................................................................................... 3

1.2.

Research questions and aim of the diploma thesis ......................................................... 6

1.3.

Structure of the thesis...................................................................................................... 6

1.4.

Methodology .................................................................................................................... 8

Internationalization ................................................................................................................ 10
2.1.

Definition of the term “internationalization” ................................................................ 10

2.2.

Definition of the term “small and medium sized enterprise (SME)” ............................. 11

2.3.

Reasons for internationalization .................................................................................... 12

2.4.

Two contradicting internationalization theories ........................................................... 15

2.4.1.

Uppsala model ....................................................................................................... 15

2.4.2.

Born global model

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