Internationalization of Finnish cleantech small and medium-sized enterprises: patterns and antecedents
Asemokha, Agnes (2016)
Pro gradu -tutkielma
Asemokha, Agnes
2016
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2016092224149
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2016092224149
Tiivistelmä
The research is an exploratory study aimed at providing foundational knowledge and proper understanding on the internationalization of Finnish SMEs in the cleantech context. Although there has been extensive focus on SME internationalization, there is very little research on internationalization of the cleantech SMEs. Thus, the novelty of cleantech context in internationalization spurred the motivation for the research direction which is considered topical and timely.
The study adopted a qualitative interview based multiple case study on five Finnish cleantech SMEs. The research questions aimed to identify, how Finnish cleantech SMEs internationalize and consequently identify their patterns as well as critical antecedents to their internationalization process. The supplementary objective provides more clarity on “Cleantech phenomenon” as a business process of the internationalizing firms. The theoretical synthesis combined various SME internationalization theories and international entrepreneurship as an integrative theory towards understanding the internationalization of Finnish cleantech SMEs. A review on antecedents and patterns of internationalization and cleantech sectors were also taken into consideration to obtain a holistic view on the research area.
To execute the empirical research process, a dimension of internationalization mapping tool was used to identify the level of international involvement of the case companies. Then, a comparison matrix pointed out key determinants at firm, managerial, and environmental levels, thus the most prominent internationalization antecedents. Lastly, the pathways specific to SME internationalization (born global, born again global, born international, born regional, and traditional pattern) were used to identify the patterns specific to the case firms.
The concept of cleantech was observed to be ambiguous. However, cleantech incorporates sustainability, environmental consciousness and optimization in business processes. Coalitions, network ties, maturity of the domestic markets, opportunity seeking, international orientation, and profit motives were observed as principal antecedent to the internationalization of Finnish cleantech SMEs. The results also showed that Finnish cleantech SMEs typically emulate traditional internationalization and born again global patterns. Alternative pathways such as born global may be also followed depending on the location of market opportunity and available resources. Overall, Finnish cleantech SMEs adopt varying internationalization pathways due to the diversification of the industry.
The study adopted a qualitative interview based multiple case study on five Finnish cleantech SMEs. The research questions aimed to identify, how Finnish cleantech SMEs internationalize and consequently identify their patterns as well as critical antecedents to their internationalization process. The supplementary objective provides more clarity on “Cleantech phenomenon” as a business process of the internationalizing firms. The theoretical synthesis combined various SME internationalization theories and international entrepreneurship as an integrative theory towards understanding the internationalization of Finnish cleantech SMEs. A review on antecedents and patterns of internationalization and cleantech sectors were also taken into consideration to obtain a holistic view on the research area.
To execute the empirical research process, a dimension of internationalization mapping tool was used to identify the level of international involvement of the case companies. Then, a comparison matrix pointed out key determinants at firm, managerial, and environmental levels, thus the most prominent internationalization antecedents. Lastly, the pathways specific to SME internationalization (born global, born again global, born international, born regional, and traditional pattern) were used to identify the patterns specific to the case firms.
The concept of cleantech was observed to be ambiguous. However, cleantech incorporates sustainability, environmental consciousness and optimization in business processes. Coalitions, network ties, maturity of the domestic markets, opportunity seeking, international orientation, and profit motives were observed as principal antecedent to the internationalization of Finnish cleantech SMEs. The results also showed that Finnish cleantech SMEs typically emulate traditional internationalization and born again global patterns. Alternative pathways such as born global may be also followed depending on the location of market opportunity and available resources. Overall, Finnish cleantech SMEs adopt varying internationalization pathways due to the diversification of the industry.