The approach to the internationalization of entrepreneurial activities of czech companies

Internationalization is a phenomenon researched intensively over the last few decades from a variety of viewpoints. Issues such as the development of international activities, and factors favouring or disfavouring internationalization have been studied for both large as well as small and medium entrepreneurial subjects. The internationalization of entrepreneurial activities is represented by geographic expansion of entrepreneurial activities across national borders. The problems of the internationalization of entrepreneurial activities have seen a considerable interest among a number of significant economists. Internationalization theory subsumes to two diverse approaches – stage approach and global approach. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the internationalization process of the selected Czech entrepreneurial subjects in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The focus of this study is on small and medium enterprises and internal factors influencing their internationalization process. The paper is based on data collected in interviews with managers and founders of 67 Czech entrepreneurial subjects. The internationalization of the entrepreneurial subjects has been researched using the method of questioning. The research shows that the internationalization of entrepreneurial activities has been performed both by newly found firms and the firms already established on the market. We found that most entrepreneurial subjects followed a stage approach to internationalization. Only very few firms in the Moravian-Silesian Region ventured into international markets immediately after their founding. Factors that significantly contribute to and influence the process of entering international markets are the target foreign market knowledge