Cover

Half-Title Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PART 1. Internationalization of SMEs, Location Choice and Gateway Strategies: A Literature Review

Introduction to Part 1

1. SME Internationalization Strategies

1.1. Incremental internationalization: introduction of the original models

1.1.1. The Uppsala model

1.1.2. Innovation: internationalization as innovation for the company

1.2. Contributions and limitations of processual models

1.2.1. The scope of observed activities

1.2.2. Operations and overseas commitment methods

1.2.3. Process dynamics

1.2.4. The methodology used

1.3. Processual models revisited

1.3.1. The Uppsala model revisited: the importance of business networks

1.3.2. Innovation models revisited: the driving force of technologies

1.4. The challenge of international entrepreneurship

1.4.1. International entrepreneurship and fast and early internationalization

1.4.2. Early expansion versus processual expansion

1.4.3. Born-again global: at the crossroads of incremental approaches and born global

1.5. Conclusion

Conclusion to Part 1

2. SME Localization Strategies

2.1. Localization strategies

2.1.1. External motivations for DFI

2.1.2. Internal factors in the location choice

2.2. Gateway strategies

2.3. Conclusion

Conclusion to Part 1

PART 2. Research Methodology and Presentation of the Empirical Study

3. Epistemology and Research Methodology

3.1. Qualitative research

3.1.1. An interpretive positioning

3.1.2. Abductive research

3.1.3. A hybrid research approach

3.1.4. Case study as an access strategy to the real situation

3.2. Multiple case studies

3.2.1. Theoretical sampling criterion and case selection

3.2.2. Defining the field of investigation and the unit of analysis

3.3. Collection of data

3.3.1. The collection of primary data

3.3.2. The collection of secondary data

3.4. Data processing

3.4.1. Content analysis: foundations and application to our work

3.4.2. Quality and legitimacy of the knowledge produced

4. The Internationalization of Five SMEs

4.1. The ABC Group case

4.1.1. Characteristics of the ABC Group

4.1.2. The main stages of the ABC Group’s international development

4.2. The case of SLAT

4.2.1. The characteristics of the firm SLAT

4.2.2. SLAT’s main phases of international development

4.3. The case of Emball’iso

4.3.1. The characteristics of Emball’iso

4.3.2. Emball’iso’s main phases of international development

4.4. The case of Mixel Agitateurs

4.4.1. Characteristics of Mixel Agitateurs

4.4.2. The main stages of Mixel Agitateurs’ international development

4.5. Hydrola company case

4.5.1. The characteristics of Hydrola

4.5.2. The main international development phases of Hydrola

4.6. Summary of the five cases

Conclusion to Part 2

PART 3. Deployment of Gateway Strategies: Motivations, Policies and Problems

Introduction to Part 3

5. Motivations for Implementing Gateway Strategies

5.1. Intracase analysis of motivations

5.1.1. ABC group case study

5.1.2. The case study of the company SLAT

5.1.3. Emball’iso case study

5.1.4. The case study of the company Mixel Agitateurs

5.1.5. The case of the company Hydrola

5.2. SME motivations: key role of internal factors and networks

5.2.1. Common motivations for the five SME case studies

5.2.2. Motivations partially shared by SMEs

5.2.3. Specific motivations

5.3. Conclusion

6. The Implementation of Gateway Strategies

6.1. The Intracase analysis

6.1.1. The case of the ABC Group

6.1.2. The case of the company SLAT

6.1.3. The case of the company Emball’iso

6.1.4. The case of the company Mixel Agitateurs

6.1.5. The case study of the company Hydrola

6.2. Deployment of gateway strategies by the SMEs: between acceleration of international development and the growing complexity of operations

6.2.1. Process of deployment of gateway strategies: the key role of networks

6.2.2. Difficulties encountered by SMEs

6.3. Conclusion

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

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