The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study

Abstract The world is not as divided as it once was, and firm internationalization is becoming commonplace. Many Finnish companies are seeking to internationalize into the North American (NA) markets; however, their efforts may be hindered by the level of cultural distance between NA and Finland wh...

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Bibliografiset tiedot
Päätekijä: Knight, Micah
Muut tekijät: Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, Jyväskylän yliopisto, University of Jyväskylä
Aineistotyyppi: Pro gradu
Kieli:eng
Julkaistu: 2025
Aiheet:
Linkit: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/103195
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author Knight, Micah
author2 Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_facet Knight, Micah Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä Knight, Micah Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
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description Abstract The world is not as divided as it once was, and firm internationalization is becoming commonplace. Many Finnish companies are seeking to internationalize into the North American (NA) markets; however, their efforts may be hindered by the level of cultural distance between NA and Finland which can lead to cultural challenges. Previous research into cultural distance has used Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory to understand how cultures differ on certain dimensions and to what extent they differ. Prior research into the challenges companies face when internationalizing has utilized the concept of Liability of Foreignness (LOF) to explain the advantage that local firms face over foreign entrants. For this thesis, three new terms were created to better explain the research and communicate the findings: societal cultural challenges, market cultural challenges, and the Finnish Home. This thesis finds themes among the cultural challenges faced by the companies interviewed in this study and in their internationalization process and calls for future Finnish companies to be adequately prepared before entering the NA markets.
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spellingShingle Knight, Micah The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Entrepreneurship
title The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
title_full The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
title_fullStr The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
title_short The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
title_sort cultural challenges that finnish companies face when internationalizing into the north american markets and how to overcome them a qualitative study
title_txtP The cultural challenges that Finnish companies face when internationalizing into the North American markets and how to overcome them: A qualitative study
topic Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Entrepreneurship
topic_facet Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Entrepreneurship
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/103195 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202506065000
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