E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective

Cross-border e-commerce is an increasingly popular way of internationalization and global growth for companies worldwide. The recent advent of e-commerce platforms introduces new ways of conducting cross-border e-commerce, lowering entry barriers specifically for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs)....

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Main Author: Sassi, Tommi
Other Authors: Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto
Format: Master's thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99057
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author Sassi, Tommi
author2 Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto
author_facet Sassi, Tommi Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto Sassi, Tommi Jyväskylän yliopiston kauppakorkeakoulu Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylän yliopisto
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description Cross-border e-commerce is an increasingly popular way of internationalization and global growth for companies worldwide. The recent advent of e-commerce platforms introduces new ways of conducting cross-border e-commerce, lowering entry barriers specifically for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). This thesis explores the internationalization of Finnish SMEs through e-commerce platforms, particularly Amazon. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities’ framework, this study investigates the capabilities required for successful foreign market entry and long-term competitiveness on Amazon’s highly competed international platform ecosystem. Using qualitative data from two distinct interview groups – Finnish SME managers and Amazon experts – this research uncovers key capabilities, including sensing market opportunities, seizing resources, managing operational challenges and strategic brand positioning. The findings also highlight the transformative potential of e-commerce platforms for SME internationalization, while also uncovering challenges such as platform dependency, operational inefficiencies and increasing competition. This study contributes to the academic discourse by exploring the constantly evolving key capabilities for international firm growth in digital ecosystems and offers practical insights for SMEs navigating cross-border e-commerce. This research emphasizes the strategic importance of adaptability, data, and innovation for SMEs to thrive in the increasingly competitive landscape of global e-commerce. Kansainvälinen verkkokauppa on yrityksille yhä suositumpi tapa kansainvälistyä ja saavuttaa globaalia kasvua. Verkkokauppa-alustojen viimeaikainen kehitys tarjoaa uusia mahdollisuuksia harjoittaa kansainvälistä verkkokauppaa, madaltaen markkinoille pääsyn esteitä etenkin pienille ja keskisuurille yrityksille. Tämä pro gradu -tutkielma tarkastelee suomalaisten pk-yritysten kansainvälistymistä Amazonin verkkokauppa-alustan kautta. Hyödyntäen dynaamisten kyvykkyyksien viitekehystä tutkimus pyrkii selvittämään, mitä kyvykkyyksiä tarvitaan onnistuneeseen markkinoille pääsyyn ja pitkäaikaiseen kansainväliseen kilpailukykyyn Amazonin kilpaillussa globaalissa alustaekosysteemissä. Laadullinen tutkimus perustuu kahteen erilliseen haastatteluryhmään – suomalaisiin pk-yritysten johtajiin sekä Amazon-asiantuntijoihin ja konsultteihin – ja tuo esiin yrityksille keskeisiä kyvykkyyksiä, kuten markkinamahdollisuuksien tunnistamisen, resurssihyötyjen maksimoimisen, operatiivisten haasteiden hallinnan ja strategisen brändinrakennuksen. Tulokset korostavat verkkokauppa-alustojen merkittävää muutosvoimaa pk-yritysten kansainvälistymisessä, mutta tuovat esiin myös haasteita, kuten alustariippuvuutta, operatiivisia haasteita ja kasvavaa kilpailua. Tämä tutkimus edistää akateemista keskustelua tarkastelemalla jatkuvasti kehittyviä keskeisiä kyvykkyyksiä yritysten kansainväliselle kasvulle digitaalisissa ekosysteemeissä ja tarjoaa käytännön näkemyksiä pk-yrityksille kansainvälisen verkkokaupan navigointiin. Tutkimus painottaa sopeutumiskyvyn, datan hyödyntämisen ja innovoinnin strategista merkitystä pk-yritysten menestykselle yhä kilpaillummassa globaalin verkkokaupan ympäristössä.
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spellingShingle Sassi, Tommi E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Entrepreneurship
title E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
title_full E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
title_fullStr E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
title_full_unstemmed E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
title_short E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
title_sort e commerce platforms as a form of foreign market entry for finnish smes a dynamic capability perspective
title_txtP E-Commerce Platforms as a Form of Foreign Market Entry for Finnish SMEs: A Dynamic Capability Perspective
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/123456789/99057 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202412187868
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