Ex Portugal ad mundum: unveiling internationalization strategies and proposing a new market entry in the small and medium enterprise landscape - the case of France

Abstract

This study assesses Company Alpha’s global readiness, targeting market selection and internationalisation planning. Employing statistical methods, including principal component analysis and cluster analyses, the process evaluated 154 countries using 34 variables, resulting in 11 clusters. Initially considering France, Italy, Chile, Greece, and Mexico, a detailed analysis favoured Chile. Supported by positive financial metrics, Chile forms the centrepiece of Company Alpha’s internationalisation strategy, incorporating a foreign-owned subsidiary and a marketing plan for the 2025’s B2C Chilean cycling tourism expansion. Recommendations include environmental monitoring, cultural sensitivity, and scenario analyses, envisioning Chile as the Latin American headquarters by 2025, emphasizing sustainable growth and prudent financial choices.