Internationalization of enterprises: theoretical perspectives and research agenda

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-8077.2012v14n33p103

The purpose of this essay is to identifythe scientific literature on internationalization of companies, and to present a research agenda on the subject. In addition, this work intends to outline and to describe the theoretical perspectives that predominate in this production. Through the review of academic literature on internationalization, from January 2005 to September2011, 141articles were selected, exposing the lack of studies that promote a direct discussion about the relationship between internationalization and culture, in particular with regard to Brazilian initiatives. Through the analysis of the selected texts it was introduced a taxonomy of three theoretical perspectives: economic, behavioral and cultural. Supported by the discussion in the published articles, a research agenda is proposed, compiled from the shortcomings pointed out in the state of art of studies on this phenomenon.