ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIONAL CULTURE DIFFERENCES FOR DOMESTIC COMPANIES THAT EXPAND TO THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This work investigates the importance of national culture differences for domestic companies that consider international expansion. Is it a factor of prime importance for companies that expand internationally, as some researchers say, or it is overrated, being lower in the significance list? A group of 61 managers from 7 internationalized companies listed in the Athens Exchange SA contribute to the research. Findings seem to support those authors that say that national culture differences do influence the strategy, tactics and management practices of domestic companies that plan international expansion, but this influence is not of prime importance. Findings show that there are other factors such as market potential, legal framework, market infrastructure, broad economic indicators and technology barriers that are more significant than national culture issues, with the latter being overrated. .

Keywords

• national culture differences, internationalisation, globalisation

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