The Internationalization of Vietnamese Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for support they provided & their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without which I would have never been able to do this research.



DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Research Questions2

2

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW3

International Entrepreneurship3

Professional Services Skills6

Internationalization Theories7

Resource Based Theory8

International Product Life Cycle (Iplc)8

International Stage Theory9

Transactional Cost Approach Theory10

Eclectic Theory11

New Venture View of Internationalization12

Internationalization of Services13

Internationalization of Sme14

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CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY18

Research Design18

Research Technique and Process19

Semi-Structured Interview19

Pros and Cons of Chosen Methodology21

Ethical Consideration22

Limitation of the Study23

CHAPTER 04: SME SECTOR OF VIETNAM24

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CHAPTER 05: FINDINGS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION30

Former Government Company30

Privatization of Cemaco Danang30

Cost Efficiency31

Implementation of Information Technology33

Vietnam Joins WTO34

Laws in Vietnam36

Revolution of Banking in Vietnam38

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CHAPTER 06: DISSCUSSION AND ANALYSIS40

Entrepreneurial Orientation41

Innovativeness43

Risk Taking43

Pro Activeness44

Internationalization Of Entrepreneurial Firms45

Human Capital46

Tacit Knowledge And Human Capital47

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CHAPTRE 07: CONCLUSION48

REFERENCES50

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

This dissertation provides insight into the nature of international entrepreneurship activities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and explains how these activities affect their performance. It originates from my desire to contribute to what is known about international entrepreneurship and my desire to improve performance of SMEs in international markets. Since the early 1990s, scholars, business people, and governments have come to view international entrepreneurship as an important means to enhance performance of companies and economies. This view is based on results of many international entrepreneurship studies. Most of these studies utilize organizational characteristics, environmental factors, and firm strategies as independent variables to explain international entrepreneurship performance.

For example, most studies of international entrepreneurship have focused on relatively young high technology industries located in developed countries (Vissak, Ibeh and Paliwoda 2008, 35). Most studies have presumed that international entrepreneurship is indicated by simple measures of a firm's international sales revenues (UK Trade and Investment 2006). This present study expands international entrepreneurship research to examine a case of Vietnamese Company "CEMACO DANANG" which is a plastic trading and manufacturing in Vietnam using a conceptually sound measure of entrepreneurial orientation, global mindset, imitative capability, and strategic flexibility. It uses more detailed measures besides international sales to describe international entrepreneurship activities.

Research Questions

The general purpose of this dissertation research is to learn more about the effect of international entrepreneurship activities on SME performance. However, in the course of the dissertation, I have tried to answer the following questions.

1. What are the factors that drive entrepreneurship at the international level?

2. What factors play a positive role in promoting entrepreneurship among SME at the global level?

3. What factors cause hindrance to SME in engaging in entrepreneurship activities?



CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW

International entrepreneurship, which is the key construct ...