In open and small internationalizing economies such as Portugal, firm internationalization processes can constitute a valuable learning opportunity, while comprising expected or unexpected elements of tension, change or complexity, namely for companies with scarce international experience, financial or networking resources, or for whom access to global clients and value chains is seen as limited. This article presents the results of a 3-years research project aimed to capture firm internationalization logics recently observable in Portugal, in three contributing sectors: Retail, Construction and ICT. As illustrated by the study results, in small and open economies such as Portugal, a rhizomatic organization approach can be increasingly found in firm expansion logics defined by nonlinearity, horizontality and market, partner or client-following logics.

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Firm internationalization

• Economia e Gestão - Ciências Sociais
• Sociologia - Ciências Sociais
• Geografia Económica e Social - Ciências Sociais