Internationalization of Digital Platform SMEs: The Network Perspective
Tamminen, Laura Emilia (2020-04-22)
22.04.2020
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020042220018
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2020042220018
Tiivistelmä
Previous research on internationalization has applied the business network approach to a large extent; also, studies on internationalizing digital platform firms discuss how these com-panies establish their user network. However, little is known about how these two types of networks (a business network and a user network) are combined and influence the interna-tional expansion of a digital platform SME.
Therefore, the objective of this research is to study the relationship between these two types of networks in the internationalization of a digital platform SME, specifically focusing on the one-way relation from business to user networks, and answer the research question “how do business networks enable digital platform SMEs to internationalize their business and create a user network when internationalizing?”. The theoretical framework for this study covers rele-vant literature concerning internationalization, business networks, platform businesses and their user networks. This thesis is based on the multiple-case study of international digital platform firms from Finland. The data include semi-structured interviews conducted with founders and managers of three firms.
The results of this thesis highlight the connection between these two networks in the interna-tionalization of digital platform SMEs; it shows how the business networks aid in the for-mation of the user network. This study was able to bring a new perspective of how business networks, which occur in the physical space, aid in building user networks, which occur in the digital space. The study shows that building long-lasting business networks is time-consuming; however, relationships formed in person are highly important even for a business which operates fully digitally. Furthermore, this study underlines the importance of business networks for an emerging business, since a business may otherwise not gain access to all needed resources when expanding internationally.
Therefore, the objective of this research is to study the relationship between these two types of networks in the internationalization of a digital platform SME, specifically focusing on the one-way relation from business to user networks, and answer the research question “how do business networks enable digital platform SMEs to internationalize their business and create a user network when internationalizing?”. The theoretical framework for this study covers rele-vant literature concerning internationalization, business networks, platform businesses and their user networks. This thesis is based on the multiple-case study of international digital platform firms from Finland. The data include semi-structured interviews conducted with founders and managers of three firms.
The results of this thesis highlight the connection between these two networks in the interna-tionalization of digital platform SMEs; it shows how the business networks aid in the for-mation of the user network. This study was able to bring a new perspective of how business networks, which occur in the physical space, aid in building user networks, which occur in the digital space. The study shows that building long-lasting business networks is time-consuming; however, relationships formed in person are highly important even for a business which operates fully digitally. Furthermore, this study underlines the importance of business networks for an emerging business, since a business may otherwise not gain access to all needed resources when expanding internationally.