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A note on the revisited Uppsala internationalization process model – the implications of business networks and entrepreneurship

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Abstract

In their article from 2009, Johanson and Vahlne suggest a reformulation of the Uppsala internationalization process model by incorporating business network theory and entrepreneurship theory into the model. The present paper makes a critical examination of this reformulation. The overall conclusion is that several issues have to be addressed regarding the relationship between business networks and firms’ internationalization, the meaning of entrepreneurship as well as the possibility to combine business network theory and entrepreneurship theory in the Uppsala model before the full potential of such an incorporation can be realized.

Résumé

Dans leur article de 2009, Johanson et Vahlne suggèrent une reformulation du modèle du processus d’internationalisation d’Uppsala en intégrant la théorie des réseaux d’affaires et la théorie de l’entrepreneuriat dans le modèle. L’article présenté fait un examen critique de cette reformulation. La conclusion générale est que plusieurs questions doivent être adressées au sujet de la relation entre les réseaux d’affaires et l’internationalisation des entreprises, de la signification de l’entrepreneuriat ainsi que de la possibilité de combiner la théorie des réseaux d’affaires et la théorie de l’entrepreneuriat dans le modèle d’Uppsala avant que le réel potentiel d’une telle intégration puisse être réalisé.

Resumen

En su análisis de 2009, Johanson y Vahlne proponen una reformulación al modelo Uppsala del proceso de internacionalización mediante la incorporación de la teoría de redes empresariales y teoría de emprendimiento en el modelo. El presente artículo hace una revisión crítica de esta re-formulación. La conclusión general es que hay varios aspectos necesitan ser abordados en la relación entre redes empresariales y la internacionalización de las empresas, el significado del emprendimiento, así como la posibilidad de combinar la teoría de redes de negocio y la teoría de emprendimiento en el modelo Uppsala antes que el pleno potencial de tal incorporación pueda ser realizado.

Resumo

Em seu artigo de 2009, Johanson e Vahlne sugerem uma reformulação do modelo Uppsala do processo de internacionalização, incorporando no modelo a teoria de redes de negócios e a teoria do empreendedorismo. O presente artigo faz uma análise crítica dessa reformulação. A conclusão geral é que várias questões devem ser abordadas com respeito à relação entre as redes de negócios e a internacionalização das empresas, o significado do empreendedorismo, bem como a possibilidade de combinar a teoria de redes de negócios e a teoria do empreendedorismo no modelo de Uppsala antes de todo o potencial de tal incorporação possa ser atingido.

概要

在他们2009年的文章中,Johanson 和Vahlne通过结合商务网络理论和创业理论对乌普萨拉国际化过程模型进行了修正。本文对这一修正进行了严格审查。总的结论是,在如此结合的全部潜能能够实现之前有几个问题需要解决,即关于商务网络和公司国际化之间的关系,创业的含义,以及乌普萨拉模型中商务网络理论和创业理论相结合的可能性。

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Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude for helpful comments by Mo Yamin and participants of the Uppsala Seminar in International Business (USIB) on an earlier version of this paper.

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  1. Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751 20, Uppsala, Sweden

    Mats Forsgren

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  1. Mats Forsgren
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Correspondence to Mats Forsgren.

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Accepted by Ram Mudambi, Area Editor, 11 June 2016. This research note has been with the author for three revisions.

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Forsgren, M. A note on the revisited Uppsala internationalization process model – the implications of business networks and entrepreneurship. J Int Bus Stud 47, 1135–1144 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-016-0014-3

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