The International Expansion of Firms from Emerging Markets: Toward a Typology of Brazilian MNEs

This study draws from several pieces of research on emerging markets' MNEs in order to shed light on the characteristics of these firms and the specificities of their internationalization paths. The review of the literature suggests that internationalized firms and their international trajectories can be characterized along nine main variables (dimensions). According to these nine dimensions, several propositions from the literature are gathered and organized, while additional propositions are advanced by the authors. Recognizing certain inconsistencies among these propositions, the study argues that Brazilian MNEs, rather than forming a homogeneous group, may act in multiple ways vis-à-vis competing in the global marketplace and investing abroad. The study furthers understanding by advancing a typology of Brazilian MNEs based on the nine dimensions. Empirical and anecdotal evidence provides examples of the five types of Brazilian MNEs. The typology, while helping make sense of a complex and multifaceted picture, has yet to withstand the scrutiny of empirical data.