Title: Balancing intermediated relationships in emerging country markets

Authors: Joachim A. Timlon, Mikael Hilmersson

Addresses: Baltic Business Research Center, Baltic Business School, University of Kalmar, SE-39182, Kalmar, Sweden. ' Baltic Business Research Center, Baltic Business School, University of Kalmar, SE-39182, Kalmar, Sweden

Abstract: This study concerns a major strategic issue for firms entering emerging country markets via intermediaries, namely, how to make an efficient trade-off between linking up to the final customer and the intermediary. We argue that an effective trade-off is a long-term relationship building process based on business and social exchange that creates knowledge reciprocity and a mutual orientation. It occurs through feedback processes in which the knowledge of the exporter is exploited and new knowledge about the local market is explored together with the intermediary. This is a balancing act, where the roles of the parties| changes over time as new capabilities are developed based on joint experiences.

Keywords: entry mode selection; internationalisation; foreign market entry; organisational learning; international relationship marketing; inter firm relationships; foreign market knowledge; emerging markets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTGM.2009.028996

International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 2009 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.317 - 335

Published online: 20 Oct 2009 *

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