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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
This dissertation analyzes the influence of knowledge in the internationalization process
of a company, focusing on the range of existing knowledge and its impact on the
different stages of internationalization. The study includes three interviews to a top
manager working for COBA since 1993.
Knowledge can derive either from education or experience. Findings show that a proper
usage of the different types of knowledge is fundamental to reach success during
internationalization, with special concerns regarding the company’s lifetime when
starting internationalization, and the industry involved. Moreover, the implementation
phase of the internationalization process is the one where the influence of knowledge is
more felt. The clash with reality can highlight existent flaws of previous decisions
made; being crucial the impact of knowledge to enrich the turnaround capacity
demanded for a company to re-adapt strategies. The retention of knowledge is
considered crucial to preserve the major internal competences, specially leading to
competitive advantages when facing external markets, with higher internal levels of
uncertainty.
Regarding the relation of COBA with the topic addressed in this dissertation, the main
conclusion demonstrates a lack of internal awareness about the impact of knowledge in
the internationalization process, despite its occurrence.
The final goal is to reach findings appealing for future literature, as well as to create the
awareness of organizations about this reality, leading to a better usage of the different
types of knowledge during all the phases of internationalization.