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Firm internationalisation within the Muslim world

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  • Richardson, Christopher

Abstract

Business transactions within the Muslim world have received only limited attention from International Business scholars. This exploratory study investigates whether a shared adherence to the Islamic tradition can reduce perceived cultural distance between countries, thus affecting the internationalisation pattern of firms. The experiences of six small- and medium-sized enterprises in the electronics and electrical (E&E) sector in northern Malaysia are presented. The findings suggest that a mutual affiliation to Islam among countries does contribute to reducing cultural distance, thus also affecting the path of firm internationalisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Richardson, Christopher, 2014. "Firm internationalisation within the Muslim world," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 386-395.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:49:y:2014:i:3:p:386-395
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2013.07.005
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    4. Jiménez, Alfredo & Jiang, Guoliang Frank & Petersen, Bent & Gammelgaard, Jens, 2019. "Within-country religious diversity and the performance of private participation infrastructure projects," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 13-25.
    5. Kurt, Yusuf & Sinkovics, Noemi & Sinkovics, Rudolf R. & Yamin, Mo, 2020. "The role of spirituality in Islamic business networks: The case of internationalizing Turkish SMEs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(1).
    6. Child, John & Karmowska, Joanna & Shenkar, Oded, 2022. "The role of context in SME internationalization – A review," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    7. Jeffery S. McMullen & Katrina M. Brownell & Joel Adams, 2021. "What Makes an Entrepreneurship Study Entrepreneurial? Toward A Unified Theory of Entrepreneurial Agency," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(5), pages 1197-1238, September.
    8. Li, Yanxi & Sai, Qian, 2020. "The effects of language and religion on cross-border acquisition completion," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    9. Richardson, Christopher & Rammal, Hussain Gulzar, 2018. "Religious belief and international business negotiations: Does faith influence negotiator behaviour?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 401-409.
    10. Kwok, Diana W.P. & Meschi, Pierre-Xavier & Bertrand, Olivier, 2020. "In CEOs we trust: When religion matters in cross-border acquisitions. The case of a multifaith country," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    11. Christopher Richardson & Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin, 2019. "A Leap of Faith? Managerial Religiosity And Market Entry Decisions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 277-305, April.

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