Re-internationalisation: Exploration and conceptualisation

Catherine L. Welch and Lawrence S. Welch

International Business Review, 2009, vol. 18, issue 6, 567-577

Abstract: Re-internationalisation represents a research challenge for the internationalisation process and international entrepreneurship fields. Many companies withdraw from international operations, go through an international time-out period and later re-enter the international arena. Little is known about this process, and whether re-internationalisers behave differently from those starting out for the first time. The limited, sketchy evidence is considered and it is argued that some re-internationalisers will go into the re-entry process with a significant international heritage from previous activities, including relevant knowledge and networks, enabling faster re-entry and take-off. However, other firms will have exited in such negative circumstances that international re-entry initially is rejected as an option, and may be slow to respond to new international opportunities. Much depends on what happens during the international time-out period, particularly in terms of changes in management and/or ownership; the nature and strength of new re-entry influences; and how the re-entry process unfolds.

Keywords: International; entrepreneurship; International; heritage; Learning; Networks; Re-internationalisation; Relationships; Sporadic; exporters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (61)

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