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

Year 2011, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 237 - 247, 01.12.2011

Paris Bayias Vassilis Assimakopoulos

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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