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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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SMEs Internationalization Barriers:An exploration on Internet-based Internationalization

Authors

; ;

Term

4. term

Publication year

2018

Submitted on

Pages

134

Abstract

Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor danske SMV’er i detailhandlen ikke i fuldt omfang udnytter potentialet i internetbaseret internationalisering, hvilke barrierer der hæmmer dem, hvilken rolle internettet spiller, og hvordan forskellige bestemmelser påvirker opfattelsen og betydningen af disse barrierer. Med udgangspunkt i et enkelt-case studie af Med24 og en semistruktureret interviewundersøgelse identificerer studiet, at traditionelle eksportbarrierer fortsat gør sig gældende online. Især logistik og distribution fremstår som de mest vedvarende udfordringer, efterfulgt af bekymringer om onlinebedrageri, mens sprog- og kulturforskelle fortsat påvirker beslutninger om markedsudvidelse. Undersøgelsen belyser også, hvordan forskellige determinanter kan forme opfattelsen af barrierernes tyngde. Resultaternes generaliserbarhed er begrænset af enkelt-case designet, og interviewet blev ikke gennemført med den endelige eksportbeslutningstager. Studiet bidrager med kvalitativ indsigt til litteraturen om SMV’ers internetunderstøttede internationalisering i detailsektoren.

This thesis explores why Danish SMEs in the retail sector do not fully leverage the potential of internet-based internationalization, what barriers impede them, the role the Internet plays, and how various determinants shape the perceived importance of these barriers. Using a single-case study of Med24 and a semi-structured interview, the study finds that traditional export barriers persist online. Logistics and distribution emerge as the most persistent challenges, followed by concerns about online fraud, while language and cultural differences continue to influence market expansion decisions. The study also considers how different determinants affect how barriers are perceived. Generalizability is limited by the single-case design, and the interview was not conducted with the final export decision-maker. The thesis contributes qualitative insights to the literature on SME internet-enabled internationalization in the retail sector.

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