Title: Internationalisation of bank enterprises in new emerging markets: the case of penetration and expansion into Eastern European countries

Authors: Rian Drogendijk, Amjad Hadjikhani

Addresses: Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden. ' Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, Box 513, 751 20 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract: The question raised in this paper is how two EU firms penetrate and expand into new emerging markets in Eastern Europe. The theoretical view relies on the firms| Internationalisation and business network theories and the varieties in the behaviour is explained by the degree of business commitment and knowledge. The analysis reveals that commitment and knowledge also have political dimensions, which complement business commitment and knowledge. The outcomes add new knowledge to the internationalisation and business relationship theories for the better understanding of market entry and expansion and offer managerial implications for management of political relationships.

Keywords: penetration; emerging markets; internationalisation process; political commitment; knowledge; Eastern Europe; business networks; business relationships; market entry; EU banks; banking; European Union.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2008.019246

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2008 Vol.1 No.1, pp.80 - 104

Published online: 03 Jul 2008 *

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