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Determinants of Internationalization as Levers for Sustainability: A Study of the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Vieira

    (ISLA Santarém, Largo Cândido Reis, 2000-241 Santarém, Portugal)

  • Rui Frade

    (ISLA Santarém, Largo Cândido Reis, 2000-241 Santarém, Portugal)

  • Raquel Ascenso

    (ISLA Santarém, Largo Cândido Reis, 2000-241 Santarém, Portugal)

  • Filipa Martinho

    (ISLA Santarém, Largo Cândido Reis, 2000-241 Santarém, Portugal)

  • Domingos Martinho

    (ISLA Santarém, Largo Cândido Reis, 2000-241 Santarém, Portugal)

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is facing the pressure of a global economy, loss of value in local markets and the highly intense innovation that characterizes this sector. This has a heavy impact, particularly in smaller economies. With this investigation, we intend to identify the determinants of internationalization as levers for sustainability in the pharmaceutical export sector of a small economy. Data was collected from a sample representing 63% of the total universe, Portuguese pharmaceutical organizations with exporting activity. A contextualization of the sector and a bibliographic review were previously carried out, which laid the groundwork for the empirical framework. This study revealed a deeply internationalized sector conditioned by a few shortcomings, namely a certain lack of sustainable competitive advantages, relatively low investment in research and development (R&D), insufficient innovation in internationalization strategies as well as scarce institutional support. Our findings may help pave the way for a more complete understanding of the dynamics of internationalization in highly competitive sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Vieira & Rui Frade & Raquel Ascenso & Filipa Martinho & Domingos Martinho, 2021. "Determinants of Internationalization as Levers for Sustainability: A Study of the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9792-:d:626308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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