Table 12

Research gaps and future research

Current research situation and gapsSuggestions for future research
FocusPerspective
Lack of sector-by-sector studiesSpecific Knowledge AreasSector-by-sector work to identify commonalities across industries
IB theories unevenly applied over the researched periodSpecific studies with the application of understudied theories and their explanatory power for the internationalization of service firms
Literature reviews improved methodological approaches but still extremely scarce within literatureLiterature ReviewsLiterature reviews with solid methodological approaches to analyse and validate generally accepted stances on the study of service firms
Limited number of theoretical-conceptual studies within literature and Support for a multi-theoretical standpoint but no guidelines on how to approach itTheoretical-conceptual workTheoretical-conceptual work on how to combine theoretical standpoints for the study of service firms that could be empirically tested, in a consistent manner
Characteristics of services triggered reservations about the explanatory power of existing IB theoriesTheoretical-conceptual frameworks that establish the role of the different service characteristics in the internationalization of service firms and their entry mode choices
Development of specific theories for service firms is not supportedTheoretical- conceptual studies that analyze and propose how to adapt the current theories to the study of service firms and their internationalization processes
Source(s): Authors’ own creation

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