The process of internationalization and expatriation: the case of Weg S.A in China

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the process of internationalization and expatriation of WEG Electrical Equipment S.A in China. The recent movement of internationalization of Brazilian companies is characterized by cases of multinationals such as WEG, which performs Foreign Direct Investments in search for increasing their participation in international business and gain of competitive advantage. This study has a descriptive character and qualitative nature, using the case study as research method, in which the objects of observation were the processes of internationalization and expatriation of WEG in China. First, secondary data was used aiming to characterize the decision of entry mode in China and their process of internationalization. Later, a semi-structured interview was held, whose questions attempted to understand how the process of expatriation of employees of WEG in the Chinese mission happened. The results show the challenges faced by the company with their inclusion in the Asian market, the determining aspects of the expatriation process and its relation to theoretical models. It is expected that this work contribute to generate knowledge about the internationalization of Brazilian companies and the leading of their expatriations, since those themes demand for conclusive research for clarification of the theoretical models on the Brazilian reality.