Inward Internationalization

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the internationalization strategy of a small hotel firm of Central region of Portugal. It is based on a case study and the main objective is to discuss what internationalization theory best explains the company's internationalization strategy. This chapter explores a gap in the literature on inward internationalization involving a player of service-based firm of the hotel industry. The literature reviews the main internationalization patterns—Uppsala model, network-based model, and inward internationalization—in order to analyze behavior of small hotel and its internationalization. At the end of the chapter, a table summarizes the main characteristics of the internationalization process of each model presented. This chapter adds value by explaining how a small service-based firm of the hotel industry manages to address its inward internationalization process.