The Impact of the Country Context in the Entrepreneurial Process

Abstract

The thesis aims to research how Swedish entrepreneurs can be influenced in their entrepreneurial process due to the country context in foreign markets. The country context involves essential country-specific factors that influence the process, and three factors are significantly meaningful; political, economic, and cultural. Further, the factors can influence the entrepreneurs motivation to enter a market and how they perceive opportunities. The thesis is conducted through a qualitative method based on interviews with the Swedish entrepreneurs who established themselves in one of the chosen markets. The research has shown that the country context influences the entire entrepreneurial process, but in different ways depending on the factor. Moreover, the country context is more or less influential depending on what stage the entrepreneur is at. The opportunities depend on the interplay of the entrepreneur and its environment since entrepreneurs must adapt and understand the country context to meet the demands of the foreign market. The political factor shows that a stable market is vital for the entrepreneurs experience of the country and their motivation, as well as a desire for simplicity while establishing a business. Beneficial rules for taxation can favor the entrepreneurial process as it can make it easier to run a business, and with time exploit it. The cultural factor is found to be the most influential; all countries have different business climates that need to be considered. However, being a Swedish entrepreneur has proven to be a strength, and it cannot be stressed enough that solid relationships are significant throughout the entire entrepreneurial process.