The international expansion of digital platforms: A dynamic setting for challenging and advancing theories of the multinational enterprise
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Esteban García-Canal [1] ; Mauro F Guillén [2]
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[1] Universidad de Oviedo
Universidad de Oviedo
Oviedo, España
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[2] University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
City of Philadelphia, Estados Unidos
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- Localización: Business Research Quarterly, ISSN 2340-9444, ISSN-e 2340-9436, Vol. 29, Nº. 1, 2026, págs. 62-77
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
The international expansion of digital platforms presents unique challenges and research opportunities within international business and management. Unlike traditional multinational enterprises, digital platforms can scale rapidly by leveraging network effects and digital infrastructure to coordinate ecosystem participants rather than relying on physical assets or incremental foreign direct investment. Their disruptive nature challenges existing regulatory frameworks, reshapes competitive dynamics, and redefines organizational structures. This article examines the internationalization of digital platforms by analyzing their competitive strategies, governance mechanisms, and non-market strategies. Paying special attention to the strategic implications of the distinction between broker and provider platforms, the article also highlights critical gaps in the literature and proposes avenues for future research, particularly regarding regulatory adaptation, decentralized governance, and the evolving role of digital ecosystems in multinational strategy.
