IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/manint/v63y2023i1d10.1007_s11575-022-00492-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11575-022-00492-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11575-022-00492-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Munjal, Surender & Andersson, Ulf & Pereira, Vijay & Budhwar, Pawan, 2021. "Exploring reverse knowledge transfer and asset augmentation strategy by developed country MNEs: Case study evidence from the Indian pharmaceutical industry," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    2. Dawson, Patrick, 1997. "In at the deep end: Conducting processual research on organisational change," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 389-405, December.
    3. Liang Chen & Noman Shaheer & Jingtao Yi & Sali Li, 2019. "The international penetration of ibusiness firms: Network effects, liabilities of outsidership and country clout," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(2), pages 172-192, March.
    4. Bose, Udichibarna & Mallick, Sushanta & Tsoukas, Serafeim, 2020. "Does easing access to foreign financing matter for firm performance?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Ahammad, Mohammad Faisal & Basu, Shubhabrata & Munjal, Surender & Clegg, Jeremy & Shoham, Ofra Bazel, 2021. "Strategic agility, environmental uncertainties and international performance: The perspective of Indian firms," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    6. John Cantwell & John H Dunning & Sarianna M Lundan, 2010. "An evolutionary approach to understanding international business activity: The co-evolution of MNEs and the institutional environment," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(4), pages 567-586, May.
    7. Keith D Brouthers & Kim Dung Geisser & Franz Rothlauf, 2016. "Explaining the internationalization of ibusiness firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(5), pages 513-534, June.
    8. Jean, Ruey-Jer “Bryan” & Kim, Daekwan & Cavusgil, Erin, 2020. "Antecedents and outcomes of digital platform risk for international new ventures’ internationalization," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(1).
    9. Mike W Peng & David Ahlstrom & Shawn M Carraher & Weilei (Stone) Shi, 2017. "An institution-based view of global IPR history," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(7), pages 893-907, September.
    10. Goitom Tesfom & Clemens Lutz, 2006. "A classification of export marketing problems of small and medium sized manufacturing firms in developing countries," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 1(3), pages 262-281, July.
    11. Ojala, Arto & Evers, Natasha & Rialp, Alex, 2018. "Extending the international new venture phenomenon to digital platform providers: A longitudinal case study," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 725-739.
    12. Satish Nambisan & Shaker A. Zahra & Yadong Luo, 2019. "Global platforms and ecosystems: Implications for international business theories," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1464-1486, December.
    13. Leonidas C. Leonidou, 2004. "An Analysis of the Barriers Hindering Small Business Export Development," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(3), pages 279-302, July.
    14. Fletcher, Margaret & Zhao, Yang & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella & Buck, Trevor, 2018. "Three Pathways to Case Selection in International Business: A Twenty–Year Review, Analysis and Synthesis," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 755-766.
    15. Eldrede Kahiya, 2013. "Export barriers and path to internationalization: A comparison of conventional enterprises and international new ventures," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 3-29, March.
    16. Joanne E Oxley & Bernard Yeung, 2001. "E-Commerce Readiness: Institutional Environment and International Competitiveness," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 32(4), pages 705-723, December.
    17. Suter, Mariana Bassi & Munjal, Surender & Borini, Felipe Mendes & Floriani, Dinora, 2021. "Conceptualizing country-of-origin image as a country-specific advantage: An insider perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 415-427.
    18. Jeremy Clegg, 2019. "From the editor: International business policy: What it is, and what it is not," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 2(2), pages 111-118, June.
    19. Harris, Simon, 2000. "Reconciling positive and interpretative international management research: a native category approach," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 9(6), pages 755-770, December.
    20. Rudolf R. Sinkovics & Elfriede Penz & Pervez N. Ghauri, 2008. "Enhancing the Trustworthiness of Qualitative Research in International Business," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 689-714, December.
    21. Nitish Singh & Sumit Kundu, 2002. "Explaining the Growth of E-Commerce Corporations (ECCs): An Extension and Application of the Eclectic Paradigm," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 33(4), pages 679-697, December.
    22. Zeng, Jing & Khan, Zaheer & De Silva, Muthu, 2019. "The emergence of multi-sided platform MNEs: Internalization theory and networks," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 1-1.
    23. Pettigrew, Andrew M., 1997. "What is a processual analysis?," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 13(4), pages 337-348, December.
    24. Klaus E. Meyer & Ram Mudambi & Rajneesh Narula, 2011. "Multinational Enterprises and Local Contexts: The Opportunities and Challenges of Multiple Embeddedness," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(2), pages 235-252, March.
    25. Kahiya, Eldrede T., 2018. "Five decades of research on export barriers: Review and future directions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 1172-1188.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nam, Jinyoung & Jung, Yoonhyuk, 2024. "Priorities of local OTT platforms' internationalization strategies," 24th ITS Biennial Conference, Seoul 2024. New bottles for new wine: digital transformation demands new policies and strategies 302501, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yu, Honglan & Fletcher, Margaret & Buck, Trevor, 2022. "Managing digital transformation during re-internationalization: Trajectories and implications for performance," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    2. Douglas Cumming & Sofia Johan & Zaheer Khan & Martin Meyer, 2023. "E-Commerce Policy and International Business," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 3-25, February.
    3. Feliciano-Cestero, María M. & Ameen, Nisreen & Kotabe, Masaaki & Paul, Justin & Signoret, Mario, 2023. "Is digital transformation threatened? A systematic literature review of the factors influencing firms’ digital transformation and internationalization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Keith D. Brouthers & Liang Chen & Sali Li & Noman Shaheer, 2022. "Charting new courses to enter foreign markets: Conceptualization, theoretical framework, and research directions on non-traditional entry modes," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(9), pages 2088-2115, December.
    5. Rong, Ke & Kang, Zhengyao & Williamson, Peter J., 2022. "Liability of ecosystem integration and internationalisation of digital firms," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    6. Qiao, Penghua & Chang, Ming & Zeng, Yuping, 2024. "The influence of digitalization on SMEs’ OFDI in emerging countries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    7. Hongryol Cha & Masaaki Kotabe & Jie Wu, 2023. "Reshaping Internationalization Strategy and Control for Global E-Commerce and Digital Transactions: A Hayekian Perspective," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 161-192, February.
    8. Ciro Troise & Enrico Battisti & Michael Christofi & Nina Jorien Vulpen & Shlomo Tarba, 2023. "How Can SMEs Use Crowdfunding Platforms to Internationalize? The Role of Equity and Reward Crowdfunding," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 117-159, February.
    9. Bernhard Swoboda & Carolina Sinning, 2022. "Effects of Internationalization Rhythm and Speed on E-Commerce Firms’ Growth and the Role of Institutional Distances," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(2), pages 169-201, April.
    10. Surana, Ankit & Chavan, Meena & Kumar, Vikas & Chirico, Francesco, 2024. "The internationalization process: A contextual analysis of Indian ibusiness firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4).
    11. Jonas Eduardsen & Svetla Marinova & Leonidas C. Leonidou & Paul Christodoulides, 2023. "Organizational Influences and Performance Impact of Cross-Border E-Commerce Barriers: The Moderating Role of Home Country Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Market Internet Penetration," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 433-467, June.
    12. Zeng, Jing, 2022. "Orchestrating ecosystem resources in a different country: Understanding the integrative capabilities of sharing economy platform multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(6).
    13. Klaus E. Meyer & Jiatao Li & Keith D. Brouthers & Ruey-Jer ‘‘Bryan’’ Jean, 2023. "International business in the digital age: Global strategies in a world of national institutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(4), pages 577-598, June.
    14. Shaheer, Noman & Kim, Kijong & Li, Sali, 2022. "Internationalization of Digital Innovations: A Rapidly Evolving Research Stream," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(4).
    15. Adomako, Samuel & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Tarba, Shlomo Y. & Khan, Zaheer, 2021. "Perceived corruption, business process digitization, and SMEs’ degree of internationalization in sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 196-207.
    16. Zeng, Jing & Khan, Zaheer & De Silva, Muthu, 2019. "The emergence of multi-sided platform MNEs: Internalization theory and networks," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 1-1.
    17. Jingtao Yi & Jiatao Li & Liang Chen, 2023. "Ecosystem social responsibility in international digital commerce," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(1), pages 24-41, February.
    18. Ahsan, Mujtaba & Musteen, Martina, 2021. "International opportunity development on crowdfunding platforms: A spatial, temporal, and structural framework," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(6).
    19. Luíza Neves Marques Fonseca & Clarice Secches Kogut & Angela Rocha, 2023. "Anywhere in the World? The Internationalization of Small Entrepreneurial Ventures using a Social Media Platform," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 63(4), pages 673-696, August.
    20. George Saridakis & Zaheer Khan & Gary Knight & Bochra Idris & Jay Mitra & Huda Khan, 2024. "A Look into the Future: The Impact of Metaverse on Traditional Theories and Thinking in International Business," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 597-632, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:manint:v:63:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s11575-022-00492-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.