Repository logo
 
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

International expansion strategy through cooperation : the alphabet case internationalization of small and medium businesses

Use this identifier to reference this record.
Name:Description:Size:Format: 
203328876.pdf2.71 MBAdobe PDF Download

Advisor(s)

Abstract(s)

The case study here presented unfolds the strategy used by Alphabet International GmbH, British leasing and fleet management company, when decided to expand its business in Ireland through a cooperation with the local company Mahony Fleet. Alphabet International was funded in the UK in the late 90’s, but it is now fully owned by the BMW Group and has moved its headquarters to Munich, Germany. The case presents the internationalization process from its first steps of approaching the new market, to the conclusion of the deal and the establishment of an international partnership relationship. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of such strategy and the financial and reputational risks and benefits it might bring to the company internationalizing. Lastly, based on the data gathered from interviews conducted with the Head of New Market of Alphabet, and other internal resources, the final conclusions were drawn, showing that the partnership established between Alphabet and Mahony Fleet was a success because it allowed Alphabet to increase its global footprint, keep its international customers in its portfolio, and gain new ones over time. This paper should serve as a teaching tool to future students, as it shows how to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to a real-life case study involving a worldwide renown corporation that falls on the top 5 companies in its industry.
O estudo de caso aqui apresentado revela as estratégias utilizadas pela Alphabet International GmbH, empresa britânica de leasing e gestão de frotas, quando decidiu expandir a sua actividade na Irlanda através de uma cooperação com a empresa local Mahony Fleet. A Alphabet International foi fundada no Reino Unido no final dos anos 90, mas actualmente é totalmente detida pelo Grupo BMW e mudou a sua sede para Munique, na Alemanha. O caso apresenta o processo de internacionalização desde os primeiros passos de aproximação ao novo mercado, até à conclusão do negócio e ao estabelecimento de uma relação de parceria internacional. Para além disso, o documento analisa as vantagens e desvantagens desta estratégia e os riscos e benefícios financeiros e de reputação que pode trazer à empresa que se internacionaliza. Por fim, com base nos dados recolhidos através de entrevistas realizadas com o Director de Novos Mercados da Alphabet e outros recursos internos, foram retiradas as conclusões finais, que demonstram que a parceria estabelecida entre a Alphabet e a Mahony Fleet foi um sucesso, pois permitiu à Alphabet aumentar a sua presença global, manter os seus clientes internacionais na sua carteira e conquistar novos clientes ao longo do tempo. Este trabalho deve servir como ferramenta de ensino para futuros alunos, pois mostra como aplicar os conhecimentos teóricos adquiridos na sala de aula a um estudo de caso real envolvendo uma empresa de renome mundial que se encontra entre as 5 maiores empresas do seu sector.

Description

Keywords

Fleet management Mobility solutions Lease company Automotive industry International strategy Expansion Cooperation New Market

Pedagogical Context

Citation

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue