Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the assumptive concept of internationalization because it is discussed and understood in the international business (IB) literature. This paper develops a framework to reconceptualize internationalization in the context of global value chain (GVC) and sustainability. Based on this conceptual framework, this paper aims to formulate interrelated propositions to define internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the assumptive conceptualization process based on empirical evidence obtained through qualitative, illustrative and descriptive content analysis methods. Through the collection and qualitative content analysis of milestone papers, this paper demonstrates the fragmentation of the concept of internationalization. This paper reviews the evolving nature of the concept of internationalization, analyzing the accumulative issues associated with defining internationalization, as well as its potential future development.

Findings

This paper introduces a dynamic perspective on the evolving nature of the concept of internationalization and argue there is a need to reconceptualize internationalization in the context of the GVC and sustainability.

Originality/value

After reviewing the context in which the term “internationalization” has been applied and taking into consideration the current trends in the IB, this paper formulates an updated definition of the term internationalization. This paper offers a viewpoint on the future direction of the concept of internationalization in light of the growing importance of sustainability within IB.

中文翻译：

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从全球价值链的角度审视国际化概念的演变

目的

本文的目的是揭示国际化的假设概念，因为它在国际商务 (IB) 文献中进行了讨论和理解。本文开发了一个框架，以在全球价值链 (GVC) 和可持续性的背景下重新定义国际化。基于这一概念框架，本文旨在制定相互关联的命题来定义国际化。

设计/方法/途径

本文回顾了基于通过定性、说明性和描述性内容分析方法获得的经验证据的假设概念化过程。通过里程碑论文的收集和定性内容分析，本文展示了国际化概念的碎片化。本文回顾了国际化概念的演变过程，分析了与定义国际化相关的累积问题，以及其潜在的未来发展。

发现

本文介绍了国际化概念不断演变的动态视角，并认为有必要在全球价值链和可持续性的背景下重新定义国际化的概念。

原创性/价值

在回顾了术语“国际化”的应用背景并考虑了国际局当前的趋势之后，本文制定了术语国际化的更新定义。鉴于可持续发展在 IB 中日益重要，本文对国际化概念的未来方向提出了观点。