Re-Internationalization Forms and Impact Factors: Four Cases

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to find out which forms of re-internationalization two Italian and two Estonian case companies experienced and which factors affected them, and through that, to develop the literature on re-internationalization. Design/methodology/approach: It is based on four cases. Findings: The paper shows that several internal and external factors – (changes in) the decision-makers’ international orientation, the (business) environment, firms’ relationships with their business partners, and their unique resources and capabilities – affected re-internationalization. In addition, it explains that the circumstances of initial foreign market entries and the following foreign market exits also influenced the case firms’ re-entry decisions. It concludes that exits and re-entries are normal for international firms and it is not always possible to foresee and/or “plan” them. Research limitations/implications: In the future, more cases could be studied and survey data collected. The issue of decision-making logic needs more research attention and definitions still need development. Originality/value: Knowledge on re-internationalization is still relatively limited and thus this paper contributes toward expanding this knowledge.

Keywords

• foreign market entry
• de-internationalization
• re-internationalization
• case study