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Internationalization Speed and Firm Performance: A Study of the Market-Seeking Expansion of Retail MNEs

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  • Alexander Mohr

    (University of Kent)

  • Georgios Batsakis

    (Brunel University London)

Abstract

Existing research is divided on whether firms that rapidly expand their overseas operations perform better than firms that internationalize slowly. Drawing on Penrose’s theory of the growth of the firm, we argue that the positive effects of rapid internationalization give way to negative effects with increasing internationalization speed, leading to an inverted U-shaped association between internationalization speed and firm performance. We analyze the market-seeking expansion of 110 retailers over a 10-year period (2003–2012) and find support for a curvilinear relationship between internationalization speed and firm performance that is moderated by the geographic scope of firms’ internationalization path and firms’ international experience. Our study contributes to resolving conflicting views on the link between internationalization speed and firm performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Mohr & Georgios Batsakis, 2017. "Internationalization Speed and Firm Performance: A Study of the Market-Seeking Expansion of Retail MNEs," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 153-177, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:57:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s11575-016-0284-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-016-0284-9
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    7. Hendriks, Guus, 2020. "How the spatial dispersion and size of country networks shape the geographic distance that firms add during international expansion," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
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    10. Telma Mendes & Carina Silva & Alexandra Braga, 2023. "Dancing with Giants: A Unified Framework for Cooperation Networks, Speed of Internationalisation, and Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-32, January.
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    17. Amelia U. Santos-Paulino & Claudia Trentini & Hamidreza Bakhtiarizadeh, . "Internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises: A new assessment," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
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    20. Thomas Hutzschenreuter & Tanja Matt, 2017. "MNE internationalization patterns, the roles of knowledge stocks, and the portfolio of MNE subsidiaries," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(9), pages 1131-1150, December.
    21. Hongping Du & Liliana Mitkova & Na Wang, 2020. "The Paths of Internationalization of Chinese Innovative Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-27, March.
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    23. Eduardsen, Jonas & Marinova, Svetla, 2020. "Internationalisation and risk: Literature review, integrative framework and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(3).
    24. Georgios Batsakis & Vasilis Theoharakis, 2021. "Achieving the Paradox of Concurrent Internationalization Speed: Internationalizing Rapidly in Both Breadth and Depth," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 61(4), pages 429-467, August.

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