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The concept of learning in the Uppsala internationalization process model : a critical review

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  • Forsgren, Mats

Abstract

In behavioral models dealing with the internationalization process, such as the Uppsala Internationalization Process Model, knowledge and learning have a profound impact on how the firm is seen to approach foreign markets. In the light of recent work on learning in organizations, this paper addresses some issues related to how the process of learning is conceptualized in the Uppsala Model. It is argued that a more narrow interpretation of learning is applied by the model builders than the literature allows for, which limits the ability of the model to explain certain forms of internationalization behavior. It is also claimed that perceiving a firm to be a loosely coupled organization causes some problems in relation to the model’s possibility to predict internationalization behavior. The consequences of the strong emphasis on individuals as the holders of market-specific knowledge are also discussed. The paper concludes with some remarks on the emergence of interesting research issues about internationalization behavior if a broader concept of organizational learning is applied.

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  • Forsgren, Mats, 2001. "The concept of learning in the Uppsala internationalization process model : a critical review," Occasional Papers 2001/1, Uppsala University, Department of Business Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhb:uufeop:0101
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    1. Mats Forsgren & Ulf Holm & Jan Johanson, 1995. "Division Headquarters Go Abroad ‐ A Step In The Internationalization Of The Multinational Corporation," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(4), pages 475-491, July.
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    7. L. Wade, 1988. "Review," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 99-100, July.
    8. Hadjikhani, Amjad, 1997. "A note on the criticisms against the internationalization process model," Working Papers 1997:2, Uppsala University, Department of Business Studies.
    9. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 1977. "The Internationalization Process of the Firm—A Model of Knowledge Development and Increasing Foreign Market Commitments," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 8(1), pages 23-32, March.
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    12. Pedersen, Torben & Petersen, Bent, 1998. "Explaining gradually increasing resource commitment to a foreign market," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 7(5), pages 483-501, October.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Rubén Fernández-Ortiz & Mónica Clavel San Emeterio & Leonor González Menorca, 2012. "A Quantitative Measure Of The Gradualist Approach To Internationalization," Global Journal of Business Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 6(3), pages 23-35.
    4. Saarenketo, Sami & Puumalainen, Kaisu & Kuivalainen, Olli & Kylaheiko, Kalevi, 2004. "Dynamic knowledge-related learning processes in internationalizing high-tech SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(3), pages 363-378, June.
    5. Mónica Clavel San Emeterio & Rubén Fernández-Ortiz & Jesús Arteaga-Ortiz & Pablo Dorta-González, 2018. "Measuring the gradualist approach to internationalization: Empirical evidence from the wine sector," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, May.

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