Abstract
The objective of this chapter is to examine the pertinence of the Uppsala model in analysing the internationalisation of Moroccan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, we first describe how Johanson and Vahlne explain the choice of host country and entry mode in their model. Based on a series of interviews with Moroccan SMEs operating in sub-Saharan Africa and representatives of overseas support organisations, we then analyse the similarities and differences between the proposals of the Uppsala model and our results. It shows that the Uppsala model must broaden its definition of distance and reconsider the importance of political distance. In the intra-African context, diplomatic relations between countries generate a “driving effect” among companies. The importance of this effect should be further studied when explaining the international behaviour of SMEs. Similarly, host country characteristics must be further explained in the model since they may differ from one geographical context to another. In the intra-African context, we realise the importance of political stability and security risks in the choice of host country and entry mode. Is this specific to the African context? Would it not be useful to develop specific extensions of the Uppsala model for each homogeneous geographical context?
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Notes
- 1.
Approximately equivalent to 16 million euros.
- 2.
Approximately equivalent to 750 euros.
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Chamchati, O., El Mabrouki, M.N., Minialai, C. (2021). Internationalisation of Moroccan SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis Based on the Uppsala Model. In: Apitsa, S.M., Milliot, E. (eds) Doing Business in Africa. Palgrave Studies of Internationalization in Emerging Markets. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50739-8_5
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