Internationalisation and performance of small and medium enterprises in the wood and furniture in Damietta Governante, Egypt

Khalefa, Mohamed (2018). Internationalisation and performance of small and medium enterprises in the wood and furniture in Damietta Governante, Egypt. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Khalefa18PhD.pdf
PDF - Accepted Version
Download (5MB)

Abstract

Egyptian SMEs in the wood and furniture industry in Damietta play a significant role in its economic development and growth. The main purpose of this study is to understand the impact of the degree of internationalisation on the performance of SMEs. The main theory of this study is considered to be one of the classic and traditional theories of internationalisation, namely the Uppsala model of internationalisation. Three complementary theories have been integrated into this work under the umbrella of the Uppsala model of internationalisation, i.e. International entrepreneurship, Resource Based View and Network Theory.

The current study relies on a research approach consisting of two main phases. Phase one is the qualitative method of using a focus group, while the second phase is a quantitative research method of using questionnaire. Path Analysis is the main data analysis method supported by Structural Equation Modelling with the Amos software.

This study is the first research to focus on the relationship between internationalisation and firm performance in one of the traditional industries, such as wood and furniture, in addition to a unique culture of an emerging economy, such as that of Damietta in Egypt. Moreover, this study suggests that the traditional stage model of internationalisation is still alive and applicable in such industrial and economic settings.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):