Internationalization Strategies of Family Business: A Case Study of Saruhan Co.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal causes and grounds which drive family businesses into internationalization process and divulge implemented strategies benefiting from the literature through a case study. In this context, “Saruhan Cooperation” which is a globally operating Turkish family business has been examined as a case study by means of primary and secondary resources. In the case study, besides presenting the current situation of Saruhan Coop., the reasons triggered internationalization process, works done for this purpose, goals of the firm, and implemented strategies in this milieu and circumstances have been tried to be defined by using a series of structured face-to-face interviews. Moreover, our findings display a process that a locally operating family business ends up in a situation to buy a firm which operates internationally under a global brand. Although it is conducted with one business; the study is important as being a pioneer analysis and contributes to the literature well; also, it is valuable because it provides a model for those who are planning to operate internationally. The research opens a door to further researches as well.