Internationalization and the multinational enterprise: development of a research tradition

Abstract

This paper analyzes theory development over the last fifty years. It identifies strands of research, the origins of theories and the ways in which theories complement and conflict with each other. Using the framework of Larry Laudan's model of scientific method, it questions to what extent this theory development process is rational and has led to scientific progress. It concludes that, since the research tradition has enabled scientists to find solutions to problems, there has indeed been progress. Thus, according to Laudan's criteria, this construction of a foundation of solved problems is a rational process.

Citation

Weisfelder, C.J. (2001), "Internationalization and the multinational enterprise: development of a research tradition", Axinn, C.N. and Matthyssens, P. (Ed.) Reassesing the Internationalization of the Firm (Advances in International Marketing, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 13-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-7979(01)11015-X