Globalizzazione, innovazione e apertura ai nuovi mercati: teorie e processi per l’internazionalizzazione delle imprese. Una review.

This paper proposes a literature review by main theoretical contributions relating to the internationalization processes of companies. The overcoming of classic theories related to exports and foreign direct investments, the new frontier of internationalization it found taking inspiration from new criteria deriving from the logic of strategic innovation and from virtual business models that seek location advantages and distinctive skills on a global scale through the knowledge economy. This is consolidating the paradigm of Enterprise 4.0 which finds its drivers in innovation and internationalization. In fact, the 4.0 company must be both innovative and international, since these two variables represent two closely linked strategic levers that modern companies cannot ignore