Title: Internationalisation of the firm theories: a schematic synthesis

Authors: Cláudia P. Ribau; António C. Moreira; Mário Raposo

Addresses: DEGEI Department, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal ' DEGEI, GOVCOPP – University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal ' Management and Economics Department/NECE, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, s/n, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: This article carries out an integrative analysis of internationalisation theories. The most important contributions to the literature on internationalisation theories are used to create a schematic table giving a framework overview. This approach shows the high-level interaction of the literature, covering all internationalisation theories, their focus and basic assumptions, while at the same time showing their historical timeline. We identify the main schools of thought - ranging from economics based to integrative models - using an analysis that begins in the 18th century and ends in the 21st century with the most recent trends in internationalisation theories. This schematic and integrative analysis aims to support the academic community in their research on business internationalisation.

Keywords: internationalisation theories; schematic analysis; integrative analysis; firm internationalisation; business internationalisation; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2015.072535

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2015 Vol.15 No.4, pp.528 - 554

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 03 Jun 2015
Published online: 16 Oct 2015 *

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