Providing a framework for the internationalization of B2B platforms

Digitalization offers new opportunities and changes to B2B businesses, including how to enter new markets. In response to the increasingly competitive environment, B2B businesses use more digital platforms to support their business strategies, and in this way, they have been able to present themselves at the international level. So far, few literatures have addressed the issue of internationalization of B2B digital platforms. Therefore, the current research was carried out with the aim of compiling the model of internationalization of B2B digital platforms.

This research is practical in terms of purpose and has an exploratory nature; Also, in terms of the type of data, it is a qualitative research. The data in the current research was obtained from interviews with experts familiar with the research topic and platform managers; The obtained data were coded using Atlas software and inductive thematic analysis method.

Finally, by extracting 74 basic codes, 11 sub-themes and 4 main themes (external responsibility, coordination, value creation and critical volume), the model of factors affecting the internationalization of B2B platforms was created.

This pattern can provide new insight to B2B platform business owners to access international markets, improve the overall image of the business and increase production capacity.