This study aims to point out the internationalisation of Portuguese companies, and their main challenges. The internationalisation strategy for Portuguese companies is critical considering that the local economy is limited and exportations represent a very relevant part of the national GDP. The research was based by 15 interviews with CEOs and managers of Portuguese companies with international activity with the purpose to analyse the most relevant challenges in the internationalised process. The main findings are the importance of geographical and cultural proximity in the selection of foreign markets, the importance of internal and external influences in the choice of how to enter in the markets, the positive relationship between internationalisation and performance, as well as the lack of international expression that Portugal has in the sectors covered in this study.

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Internationalisation,Challenges,Strategy,Portuguese companies

• Economia e Gestão - Ciências Sociais