Internationalization of location-bound resources: cases from Canada

Abstract

This chapter addresses a gap in the internationalization theory. It compares the internationalization of location-bound events and resources with the traditional theories of internationalization and points to their few similarities and mainly differences. Two in depth and longitudinal case-studies of highly popular and growing events in Montreal, Canada, prior to the emergence of COVID-19 crisis document significant differences between the traditional and location-bound internationalization, where international customers travel to Montreal to benefit from such events. These cases also point to the important impact of influential factors and evolving processes. They also uncover that communication and information technologies play critical roles in the internationalization outcomes over time. The longitudinal aspects of these case-studies also point to the indirect internationalization of complementary events and services over time due to their interactions with the other firms, and international customers at home during the internationalized local events. The chapter also discusses the managerial lessons, theoretical implications, and public policy recommendations, followed by a brief epilogue updating the status of the two cases at the end. © Hamid Etemad, Natasha Evers and Sören Kock 2021.