Strategy and pattern of internationalization of agro business in Malaysia [Strategi dan Corak pengantarabangsaan perniagaan agro di Malaysia]

This article examines the internationalization strategy among small and medium enterprises (smes) in agro industry. the objectives of this study are to identify the entry mode and market selection strategies in the internationalization of agro smes,and to determine how the company's characteristics affecting the speed of internationalization process. the case study was adopted involving five agro smes in malaysia. the study found that agro sme companies utilised a variety of entry mode strategies such as direct export,joint ventures,and foreign partners to penetrate into international market. the study identified that the characteristics of the company such as types of product,types of business,and ownership are major factors affecting the choice of foreign entry mode and markets selection,which in turn determines the pattern of internationalization that can be either traditional or born-global. this article proposes a typology of internationalization pattern and several propositions regarding the internationalization process. this study provides guidance to owners/managers of agro businesses to penetrate into global market. whereas for the policy makers,it could be the basis for establishing guidelines in helping agribusiness industry to compete internationally.