A Model of Sustainable Internationalization in Technology-Based Businesses: Case Study of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Industry

Rezvani, Mehran; Soltanzadeh, Samineh

doi:10.22050/pbr.2019.113682

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Associate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² PhD Candidate in Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22050/pbr.2019.113682

Abstract

Internationalization of businesses is considered as a key factor in economic development and growth of the economic entities. On the other hand, the ability of the system in terms of endurance and reliability is inevitably dependent on the success that the system gains in communicating with the external environment; in other words, the sustainability of the system entirely depends on the system capability in terms of adaptation and responsiveness to the environment. Furthermore, technology-based businesses are highly dynamic and use different internationalization patterns. A literature review shows that comprehensive studies have not been conducted despite the necessity of today’s businesses to move toward sustainable internationalization. Therefore, this research examines the existing patterns by presenting a model of sustainable internationalization in technology-based businesses. In the present study, six technology-based businesses in oil and gas industry have been investigated using a multi-case interview method. The validity and reliability of the data collection tools have been confirmed. The results of the interviews performed during the two coding stages revealed that economic, environmental, social, and technological factors are among the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable business internationalization strategies along with a focus on a sustainable business model. This study also presents different types of sustainable internationalization strategies and classifies the sustainability index of internationalization under two categories of profitability and sustainability of the relationships in the network.

Keywords

20.1001.1.26454726.2019.3.3.3.7

Main Subjects

Energy Management and Engineering

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