Internationalization Business Models and Patterns of SMEs and MNEs: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study in the Agrifood Sector

Abstract

Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in the agri-food sector have been overcoming internationalization barriers. However, research is scarce, specifically to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, despite the importance of the sector. The main aim of our study is to explore the archetypes and internationalization pace of internationalized SMEs and MNEs in the agri-food sector, adopting an external perspective and an empirical approach. More particularly, the influence of the interaction of demand-side innovation and management control systems (MCSs) in companies in the industry is examined. A qualitative research design was developed in order to achieve an in-depth understanding of the contextual factors affecting international SMEs and MNEs in the agri-food sector. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with three SME and three MNE managers. Our findings suggest that SMEs are not fundamentally different from MNEs—both types of organizations best fit the Casino model archetype. It was also found that strong competition helps the development of collaborative innovation, directing advancement toward fulfilling consumer demand. MCSs are neither communicating information nor managing perceived risks by creating trust and confidence; they are mostly used for diagnostic purposes, not substantially influencing the innovation process.

Management accounting and control system in the u-model internationalization process. A case study

“…The relationship between the internationalization model and macs Some studies (Cumming et al, 2017;Puck & Filatotchev, 2020) have related the ip to the study of corporate finance and strategic management. Following this line of research, we relate the ip with the macs, since accounting literature has given increased attention to the relationship between management accounting systems and strategy (Bedford et al, 2016;Bisbe & Malagueño, 2012;Davila et al, 2015;Franco-Santos et al, 2012;García-Álvarez et al, 2019;Gimbert et al, 2010;Gomez-Conde & Lopez-Valeiras, 2018;Gomez-Conde et al, 2019;Langfield-Smith, 2006;Lin et al, 2017;Lopez-Valeiras et al, 2015;Ramon-Jeronimo et al, 2019). This literature has focused on different strategic frameworks, such as strategy process (Mintzberg & Waters, 1985) and strategy typologies (Miles & Snow, 1978).…”

“…Despite the growing interest in the macs-strategy relationship (Bisbe & Malagueño, 2012;Franco-Santos et al, 2012;García-Álvarez et al, 2019;Gimbert et al, 2010;Gomez-Conde & Lopez-Valeiras, 2018;Gomez-Conde et al, 2019;Lopez-Valeiras et al, 2015;Ramon-Jeronimo et al, 2019), the picture presented in the literature was found to be fragmented (Langfield-Smith, 1997) with an inconsistent conceptualization and operationalization (Otley, 2016;Tucker et al, 2009). Some authors consider that there is little knowledge about the effects of macs in the strategy implementation (Coller et al, 2018;Frigotto et al, 2013;Skaerbaek & Tryggestad, 2010).…”

Internationalization Issues in Chinese Firms: One Belt, One Road-Based Perspective

“…In the perspective of one belt, one road, there was a need to integrate the concept of internationalization of Chinese firms and associated challenges in terms of developing internal brand equity. Based on this gap in previous studies suggested by García Álvarez de Perea et al (2019) , the following research tried to signify the internationalization challenges associated with one belt, one road initiative at the organizational level of Chinese firms. Moreover, the mediating role of brand knowledge dissemination toward developing employer-based brand equity was not studied before, and to overcome this gap, it was suggested by Zulkepli et al (2015) to evaluate the mediating role of brand knowledge dissemination which could lead to the development of EBBE.…”

Current Research Trends on Interrelationships of Eco-Innovation and Internationalisation: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Furthermore, the positive impact of eco-innovation on firms' financial performance (Marcus 2015) through results such as cost reductions and an increase of sales has been observed (Ociepa-Kubicka and Pachura 2017). Internationalisation and development of eco-innovations may bring economic growth to companies and improve their competitive advantage, however, it may give rise to uncertainties and are assumed to be risky processes (de Perea et al 2019). The development of new products or processes implies a high level of risk and paradoxically this type of risk can exert a negative impact on companies' internationalisation (Martínez-Román et al 2019).…”