Uncovering ambiguities of internationalization : The case of Swedish SMEs entering Polish Housing Industry with energy-saving solutions

Sammanfattning: SMEs aimingto internationalize are facing multiple difficulties due to lack of network relationships, resources and experiential knowledge aswell ashigh risk and uncertainty levels. For instance, the level of ambiguity and uncertainty at the internationalization processis higher in institutionally distant markets, like Poland towards Sweden. It is important to understand how different the Polish market is, and what are the different regulations and rules that Swedish SMEs have to follow. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examinesources of ambiguities, and provide a strategic fit, by analyzing external environment in Polandand defining Swedish firm’s internal resources which impact the process of internationalization. To accomplish this purpose, the authors have conducted a qualitative research by multiple case studies involving three Swedish SMEs internationalizing in Polish market or similar foreignmarket.The theoretical framework comprisesthe theoretical concept of the strategy from IO view and RBV perspectives, external environment and internalresources and strategic fit,as well as theories regarding internationalization.Thefinal point istheoretical synthesis thatshows the relationship among these theoretical concepts. The empirical part demonstrates findings that derivefrom the interviews of case companies.Finally analysis of the collected empirical materials in relation to the theoretical frameworkselected for the topicis provided. The last chapter summarizes our findings and provides recommendations for the SMEs on what to consider when conducting successfulinternationalization process.