The Role of Network Relationships in Internationalization Process

This book focuses on multinationals from Asian developing countries, namely palm oil multinationals from Malaysia (POB MNCs). The study examines the role of network relationships in the Malaysian palm oil industry, and how the network relationships contribute to firm competitive advantages of the POB MNCs. A qualitative research method, by using an interview technique, was used to gather primary data. The study finds that network relationships in the palm oil industry were formed as a result of long historical, economic, ownership and personal ties. Members of the network collaborate among themselves to develop solutions to address industry problems, and the network also includes foreign R&D institutions and experts. The study shows that network relationships had helped in the accumulation of industry best-practices, which are applied in the foreign operations of the POB MNCs. The study, which is exploratory, contributes to new knowledge on the internationalization of firms from developing countries. There are usual limitations of the study, which are associated with the use of a qualitative research method.

Autorentext

Dato' Dr. Anuar dirige la sua società di consulenza, Bison Consulting, con sede in Malesia. È visiting lecturer in innovazione e imprenditorialità tecnologica presso l'International Business School dell'Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dato' Dr. Anuar ha conseguito un dottorato di ricerca presso l'Universiti Teknologi Mara, in Malesia, e un MSc in Management of Technology presso il MIT.