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Internationalization of digital firms: A systematic review and research agenda

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  • Yang, Bo
  • Bai, Wensong
  • Chen, Yantai
  • Rong, Ke

Abstract

Digital firms, emerging entities in the digital era, are fundamentally reshaping the global business landscape due to their novel characteristics and far-reaching influence. Given their intrinsic transnational characteristics, the international expansion of digital firms has become a focal point in fields like international business and international entrepreneurship. However, research in these fields is currently fragmented, uses a limited number of theoretical perspectives, and lacks integrated frameworks. We apply an organizing framework that centers around four key aspects of digital firm internationalization – drivers, strategies, outcomes, and contexts – to synthesize the contributions of the literature on digital firm internationalization and identify opportunities for future research. Additionally, we examine how the internationalization of digital firms extends traditional international business theories and elucidates emerging theoretical perspectives. Our study advances a comprehensive understanding of the field, identifies research gaps, and proposes future avenues for advancing knowledge on digital firm internationalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Bo & Bai, Wensong & Chen, Yantai & Rong, Ke, 2025. "Internationalization of digital firms: A systematic review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:189:y:2025:i:c:s0148296324006283
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.115124
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