A Model of Sustainable Internationalization in Technology-Based Businesses: Case Study of Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Industry

Internationalization of businesses is considered as a key factor in economic development and growth of the economic entities. On the other hand, the ability of the system for endurance and reliability is inevitably dependent on the success that the system gains in communicating with the external environment; in other words, the sustainability of the system is entirely dependent on system capability for adaptation, change and responsiveness to the environment. Furthermore, Technology-based businesses are highly dynamic and use different internationalization patterns. A literature review shows that comprehensive studies have not been conducted despite the necessity of today's businesses to move toward sustainable internationalization. Therefore, this research examines existing patterns by presenting a model for sustainable internationalization in technology-based businesses. In the present study, 6 technology-based businesses in oil and gas industry have been investigated using a multi-case interview method. The validity and reliability of data collection tools have been confirmed. The results of the interviews performed during the two coding stages revealed that economic, environmental, social and technological factors are among the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable business internationalization strategies along with a focus on a sustainable business model. This study also presents different types of sustainable internationalization strategies and classifies the internationalization’s sustainability index into two categories of profitability and sustainability of relationships in the network.