Abstracts
Abstract
The objective of this study is to introduce, develop, and validate a scenario-based method to study the influence of context in international business decision-making. Scenario-based methods use real-life situations to collect data or measure context-sensitive constructs. This study includes the development of a scenario and five behavioral answers using a five-step process and rigorous data collection. Based on multiple interviews and a final sample of decision-makers from 149 French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the measurement tool’s internal and external validity meets the criteria of scale development. The tool enables the study of internationalization decision-making from new perspectives—for instance, through more rigorous contextual research or exploration of sensitive topics such as cognitive factors, motives, and behaviors in international business research.
Keywords:
- Scenario method,
- contextual research,
- decision-making,
- measurement tool,
- small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Résumé
Cette recherche développe et valide une méthode basée sur des scénarios pour étudier l’influence du contexte dans la prise de décision des entreprises internationales. En utilisant des situations réelles, cette méthode peut collecter des données ou mesurer des concepts sensibles au contexte. La présente recherche élabore un scénario avec cinq réponses comportementales via un processus en cinq étapes et une collecte de données rigoureuse. Basée sur des entretiens et un échantillon de 149 décideurs de PME françaises, la validité de l’outil respecte les critères de développement d’une échelle. Cet outil permet d’étudier la prise de décision en matière d’internationalisation sous de nouvelles perspectives, incluant une contextualisation rigoureuse et l’exploration de facteurs cognitifs, motivations et comportements en commerce international.
Mots-clés :
- Méthode des scénarios,
- recherche contextuelle,
- prise de décision,
- outil de mesure,
- petites et moyennes entreprises
Resumen
El objetivo de este estudio es introducir, desarrollar y validar un método basado en escenarios para estudiar la influencia del contexto en la toma de decisiones empresariales internacionales. Los métodos basados en escenarios utilizan situaciones de la vida real para recopilar datos o medir constructos sensibles al contexto. Este estudio incluye el desarrollo de un escenario y cinco respuestas comportamentales mediante un proceso de cinco pasos y una rigurosa recogida de datos. A partir de múltiples entrevistas y una muestra final de responsables de la toma de decisiones de 149 pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME) francesas, la validez interna y externa de la herramienta de medición cumple los criterios de elaboración de escalas. La herramienta permite estudiar la toma de decisiones en materia de internacionalización desde nuevas perspectivas, por ejemplo, mediante una investigación contextual más rigurosa o la exploración de temas delicados como los factores cognitivos, los motivos y los comportamientos en la investigación en negocios internacionales.
Palabras clave:
- Método basado en escenarios,
- investigación contextual,
- toma de decisiones,
- herramienta de medición,
- pequeña y mediana empresa
Appendices
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