Capability portfolio for the initial phase of internationalisation of emerging economy firms: a study in the Indian pharmaceutical industry

This paper analyses the internationalisation experiences of seven firms in the Indian pharmaceutical industry and identifies the portfolio of capabilities required in the initial phase of internationalisation. It traces the priorities, simultaneity and sequence in the capability development process and identifies the differences between early and late internationalisers. It notes that studies so far have not investigated whether there are differences in capability requirements in the various phases of internationalisation and also in the requirements of early or late internationalisers in the same industry.

Keywords: internationalisation, capabilities, India, pharmaceutical industry, capability development process, emerging economies, initial phase