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Platform-Based Internationalization of Smaller Firms: The Role of Government Policy

Author

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  • Nitish Singh

    (Saint Louis University St. Louis)

  • Surender Munjal

    (Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds)

  • Sumit Kundu

    (Florida International University)

  • K. Rangarajan

    (Founder Head - Centre for MSME Studies, and Head – IIFT Kolkata Campus Indian Institute of Foreign Trade)

Abstract

Governments are recognizing anticompetitive concerns and market distortions associated with the rise of e-commerce platforms. Thus, policies are being crafted to level the playing field between large platform operators and small platform sellers. In addition, policies mitigating barriers to internationalization associated with using e-commerce platforms are also being developed. This study aims to explore these policy actions impacting the platform-based internationalization of small and micro enterprises (SMEs). The case study method is adopted to provide rich insights into the Indian Government policy actions impacting the e-commerce platform-based internationalization of Indian SMEs. More specifically, this investigation analyzes the extent to which the Indian Government policy actions have mitigated the home market and industry-level barriers to export for SMEs leveraging e-commerce platforms for their internationalization efforts. Study findings provide rich policy implications and fodder for future empirical testing of key qualitative insights uncovered in this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Nitish Singh & Surender Munjal & Sumit Kundu & K. Rangarajan, 2023. "Platform-Based Internationalization of Smaller Firms: The Role of Government Policy," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 91-115, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:63:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11575-022-00492-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11575-022-00492-z
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