Internationalisation Approaches - Strategies and Barriers: A comparative multiple case study of Swedish SaaS and Consumer Goods Tech SMEs

Abstract

Tech SMEs are increasing in number and capacity worldwide, and a key characteristic of these firms is their internationalisation approaches. This study investigates the internationalisation strategies of SaaS and hardware (consumer goods-related) tech SMEs in Sweden. Drawing on SME internationalisation research in international business and entrepreneurship literature, the study aims to understand how Swedish tech SMEs approach foreign market expansion, the strategies they adopt, and the challenges they encounter. An abductive methodology is employed through a comparative multiple case study of SaaS and hardware tech SMEs. Findings reveal that tech SME approaches- strategies and barriers are distinguished by business model and offers practical and policy implications for supporting global expansion.