A bicultural management model for internationalising SMEs

Objective of this research is to investigate internationalising SMEs on a bicultural human resource perspective in order to develop a management model for internationalising SMEs by using the qualifications and characteristics of bicultural experts from 2nd generation migration. Thus, the research is, on one hand, based on the example of 2nd generation Spanish experts in Germany. However, the aim of this dissertation is to provide a management model for internationalising SMEs to improve their competitive advantages by using the qualifications of 2nd generation bicultural experts on foreign markets, the research, on the other hand, concentrate on the example of Spanish small and medium sized enterprises, which want to expand their businesses into the German markets. This study uses both, primary and secondary data. The data involved qualitative research and several examinations of existent empirical research in the literature review. In the stage of the literature review, the theoretical perspectives of culture, competitiveness and an initial bicultural management model are examined. Further, the educational situation of Spanish 2nd generation immigrants in Germany are studied. Additional data of 2nd generation Spaniards are examined with the purpose of giving a profile of those immigrants in Germany. Records and information about Spanish enterprises on the German markets are evaluated in order to identify business requirements that Spanish SMEs need to improve their businesses on German markets. Further topics on the literature review are competitiveness and internationalisation of SMEs and migration in Germany. The examinations highlight the need to continue an in-depth investigation of these subjects in order to clarify the interrelations between international business and biculturalism. Discussions about generalising research across cultures and nations indicate that the depth and diversity of culture cannot be adequately captured through comparative studies of nations. Instead, qualitative research in the field is needed., Therefore, this research concentrates on the qualitative research methods of applying the focus group method and in-depth interviews. The objectives are to validate the findings of the previous stages and to develop a model by introducing the perceptions of responsible Spanish SME representatives. Main objective of the in-depth interviews i~ to limit the persons interviewed to their knowledge as professional experts. By combining the findings of the respective stages, the contribution to knowledge is to develop a management model for internationalising SMEs to improve their competitive advantages by ~sing the qualifications of 2nd generation bicultural experts.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo