| Abstract [eng] |
The main aim of this master’s thesis is to analyse the impact of digital technologies on the internationalisation process of small and medium-sized enterprises and to determine how digital platforms, digital infrastructure and organisational capabilities enable SMEs to expand into foreign markets. The thesis consists of three main parts: a review of scientific literature, research methodology and empirical research results, conclusions and recommendations. The literature review examines the concept of internationalisation, the specific features of SME international expansion, and the importance of the Uppsala model and the export initiation decision in the internationalisation process. The thesis also analyses the concept of digital technologies, their role in international trade, and the relationship between digital transformation and digital internationalisation. Digital platforms, their types and functions are discussed, distinguishing between sales platforms, interaction and reach platforms, and support platforms. Particular attention is paid to the benefits, risks and factors that may either encourage or limit SME internationalisation. The analysis of scientific literature revealed that digital technologies reduce barriers to entry into foreign markets, provide access to market information, help develop relationships with foreign partners, improve communication with customers and enable more efficient management of international business processes. Digital platforms allow SMEs to reach international customers more quickly, strengthen brand visibility and optimise sales, logistics, marketing and customer service processes. At the same time, the analysis showed that digital internationalisation depends not only on access to technologies, but also on internal capabilities, digital competences, financial resources, infrastructure, the institutional environment and the ability to manage cybersecurity and data protection risks. The empirical part of the thesis analyses how SMEs assess the role of digital technologies in the internationalisation process, what digital tools they use when expanding into foreign markets and what challenges they face. The research aims to identify which digital solutions contribute most to SME international expansion, how digital platforms affect firms’ ability to reach foreign customers and which risks most often limit the success of digital internationalisation. The analysis suggests that digital technologies are an important factor in SME internationalisation. They help reduce the liabilities of smallness, foreignness and outsidership, enable firms to use limited resources more effectively and allow them to adapt more quickly to foreign market conditions. However, successful digital internationalisation requires strengthening firms’ digital and organisational capabilities, investing in employee competences, data security, digital infrastructure and strategically selecting appropriate digital platforms. The conclusions and recommendations summarise the main insights from the literature review and empirical research results regarding the opportunities and limiting factors of SME digital internationalisation. The results of this thesis may be useful for SME managers seeking to develop their activities in foreign markets, select appropriate digital tools and manage digital transformation and internationalisation processes more effectively. |
