Internacionalização de empresas: uma proposta de modelo conceitual dos fatores que podem afetar a internacionalização de pequenas e médias empresas

Abstract

Global integration and the intense increase in international transactions allowed more small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to seek penetration in the international market. In this context, this research study aims to understand what the factors that affect the internationalization processes of companies are, especially for SMEs, the most affected by the scarcity of resources in relation to international expansion. The objective of this study is to develop and qualitatively validate a conceptual model that addresses the factors that could affect the internationalization of small and medium-sized companies, contributing to the research on the theme and also assisting SMEs in the review or formulation of their internationalization processes. Methodologically, a bibliographic study was carried out, analyzing seminal studies on the internationalization of companies, complemented with the literature review of more recent works in relation to the topic of investigation. Next, a content analysis was carried out to determine the factors that affect the internationalization of companies. The results of this analysis were validated with experts for the formulation of the proposed conceptual model, as well as for the creation of the research instrument validated and applied in this study. Overall, the results of the study suggest that the conceptual model offered here will serve as a guide for new understandings in theorizing the internationalization of companies. The model and the research instrument proposed in this study, will contribute to the classification of companies in internationalization levels, in addition to being able to assist companies, mainly to SMEs, in the formulation or review of their strategies for internationalization. The results also suggest a necessary deepening of the understanding of academia-industry communication instances, and support for the academy and research specifically related to the internationalization of companies and more broadly to entrepreneurship in Brazil.