The process of Internationalization can be described
as “the process of increasing involvement in international operations”. (Welch and Luostarinen, 1988). The process
essentially involves the adaption of firm operations like strategy, structure, resources etc. to perfectly fit the international
environments. Furthermore, the degree of internationalization can be measured as foreign sales relative to total sales. (Welch
and Luostarinen, 1988).
The goal of the Internationalization process is
to have a pronounced global presence in an attempt to keep abreast with their competitors, to generate improved profitability
and be known as a multinational; a sure sign of success and credibility. The process typically entails generalizing a product
to counterbalance and efficiently expedite the subsequent localization process. The result is an improved quality product
as well as reduced localization costs and time to market. The internationalization process may involve the following tasks:
- Reduce
surplus or repetitive text.
- Modify
and/or settle on a final text before the localization and translation process.
- Application
of standard language/nomenclature.
- Creation
of a glossary containing original, technical or perhaps unclear terms.
- Implementation
of a coherent writing style.
- Adherence
to grammar rules
- Flexible
layouts that fit right-to-left or top-to-bottom scripts
- Application
of programming tools that support foreign language character sets. (RFIDwizards, 2007).
Several theories have been postulated over the
years to maintain and enhance the essence of the process of internationalization. According to the theories of the stage model;
the process of internationalization may be successful if a specific prescribed path is followed. Strategic decisions that
the firms have to face play a vital role in validating the above assumption.
The internationalization process is described as
a gradual development taking place in distinct stages (Melin 1992). The process can be clearly identified under two major
schools: (1) the models initially developed by Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1975) and Johanson and Vahlne (1977), referred
to as the Uppsala models (U-models); and (2) the Innovation-Related Internationalization Models (I-models)
conceptualized by Cavusgil (1980). Both the I-model as well as the U-model emphasizes on firm’s involvement in foreign
market segments. The U-model describes the process as "a gradual acquisition, integration and use of knowledge about foreign
markets and operations and a successively increasing commitment to foreign markets” (Allbusiness, 2000). The strategic
choices under the U-model are influenced by many factors which include certain aspects which either help in or suppress exports,
information requirements and collecting informational data, foreign market selection and entry (including the effects of cultural
distance), expansion, and marketing strategies (Leonidou and Katsikeas 1996).
Due to the various factors involved, it is rather
difficult to accurately assess this model. In Cavusgil's I-model, the involvement of exports is operationalized by the ratio
of sales/export, which in turn indicates a firm’s reliance on foreign markets.
In the process of internationalization; market
knowledge is gradually increased and the company gets a clear picture over time, reducing the involved uncertainties. Different
companies gather a different approach but with a similar objective in mind. If the process of internationalization is relatively
slow, it is primarily because companies either want to avoid risks or are unable to gather relevant or enough knowledge and
information.
References
Karlsen, Siv Norwegian School of Management (2007) “The Pace of
Internationalization of SMEs – Born Global vs. Gradual Global”
Snuif, Henoch R, Journal of Small Business Management
(2000) “The Internationalization Process of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: An Evaluation of Stage Theory”
Available from: http://www.allbusiness.com/management-companies-enterprises/654394-1.html
Accessed: 10/25/2007
Nemec, Lauren, Translatus Inc (2007) “The
steps to foreign market entry”. Available from: http://rfidwizards.com/index.php?option=com_content&task =view&id=194&Itemid=168
Accessed: 10/25/2007
