Abstract:
In this paper, we use the work of the philosopher, Charles Taylor, to investigate
the role of culture on internationalization decisions. Using parameters related to key
constructs such as positive liberty, social ontology, expressivism, civic republicanism and
common spaces, we look at how culture influences the decisions regarding corporate
international expansion. This framework was applied in a multi-interview design in four
firms from the food processing industry from France and Canada. Results showed an
obvious sensitivity to cultural difference and that managerial practices surrounding this
issue tended to be intuitive and emergent. These practices were not crystallized in the form
of a conscious and deliberate organizational strategy for dealing with cultural difference
when planning foreign market entry. Our findings triggered further reflections on
managerial implications such as the importance of searching more explicitly for cultural
and organizational anchors when reviewing location factors.
