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important role of these resources - emphasized by the representatives of internationalized
enterprises - may lead to the conclusion that they are essential not only to expand business
outside the country's borders, but also represent a group of determinants how to achieve
advantage over competitors.
Conclusions
Gaining and maintaining competitive advantage results from a broadly understood
competitiveness. The current rapid changes occurring in the markets mean that
entrepreneurs are less likely to plan over the long term. Therefore, companies do not
always operate on the basis of deliberate development strategy (Janiuk 2004). Moreover,
small and medium-sized enterprises, in order to survive and succeed in markets (including
the international market) must be competitive.
Presented the concept of building a competitive advantage should not be regarded as
absolute. And companies interested in the diagnosis of key factors needed to build a
competitive advantage must remember to include in their analysis the specificity of the
industry and the conditions prevailing there. Therefore, searching for sources of competitive
advantage, the theory presented should not be considered as a variant. A better solution
seems to be an attempt to synthesize them.
Therefore, the essence appears in identifying factors that can determine business activities
on the international arena and helping to gain competitive edge. These elements can
become a kind of guideline for companies that have not yet taken a decision to start the
process of internationalization. Especially, that the sources of advantages are different for
domestic and for internationalized companies. The study among enterprises of the food
sector suggests that, although the managers of these companies believe in the role of
tangible factors of production, they are also beginning to recognize the importance of the
intangible ones (high rates for social capital resources).
Moreover, important is also the fact that companies successfully operating in the
international market recognize the need to invest in innovation. It is about the allocation of
higher resources for R & D, patents and licenses, modernization of technology, or creating
their own brands. This set of determinants distinguishes internationalized companies from
domestic and helps gain a competitive advantage in the market.
References
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