From Local to Global: The Internationalization of Women-owned Businesses in Bangladesh

Abstract

The focus of this study is on identifying some of the factors that influence the ability of Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to engage in internationalization through digital means. The research found that despite being able to utilize technology for expansion purposes, many Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs still face structural challenges when expanding into foreign markets due to lack of resources and institutions, as well as operational constraints. This paper is designed to find out how women entrepreneurs who are already established in their country access global markets, and what strategies they can use to reduce the impact of institutional and operational barriers that may be present. The research also examined the extent to which networks and digital tools support the engagement of women in cross border business activities. The research also investigates the extent to which female entrepreneurs create connections with customers through trust, visibility, and consistencies in their communications through global digital networks and platforms.

This study utilized a qualitative approach, employing an interpretative paradigm as the foundation for this study. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews completed with female entrepreneurs who has operated globally for at least one year. A thematic analysis method developed by Braun & Clarke (2006) was used to organize and describe the themes present in the interview data to discover the practices, behaviors, and patterns that emerged throughout the participant group. The findings of this study include - Women entrepreneurs were able to successfully navigate barriers related to logistics, regulation, and payment. Credibility and trust between the woman entrepreneur and her international customers were increased through the utilization of evidence-based practices. Experiential learning and entrepreneurial resilience were developed through the woman entrepreneur's experiences operating internationally. Digital platforms allowed for the creation of global reach and communication between the woman entrepreneur and her international customers. Networks created opportunities for knowledge sharing, referrals, and support for the woman entrepreneur in her internationalization efforts and hybrid online-offline strategies were utilized to create sustainable internationalization.

Based on these findings, it appears that women entrepreneurs are able to achieve internationalization by utilizing a combination of digital visibility, relational networks, and adaptive learning. As such, women entrepreneurs are able to mitigate the impact of constraints associated with resource poor countries and develop the capabilities necessary to operate effectively in global markets.