Influence of entry modes and relationship modes on business services internationalisation

This paper focuses on service firms trying to develop markets at an international level. Such strategies are more and more often adopted, even by small-sized firms in B-to-B activities. Entry modes on foreign markets are of paramount importance as they also define the modes of relationship established with foreign clients. The recent development of information and communication technologies also has an impact on growth opportunities in foreign markets. These technologies allow clients to be serviced without any local outlet but they also ensure swifter communications inside an international network and better quality-control operations. The research reported here tries to assess the performance of different entry modes in this new context.