Key Influences on the Early and Rapid Internationalization in the Airline Industry. A Case Study on easyJet

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 RESEARCH QUESTION

1.2 OBJECTIVES

1.3 STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION

2 LITERATURE REVIEW ON INTERNATIONALIZATION

2.1 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS THEORIES: AN OVERVIEW

2.1.1 Transaction cost theory

2.1.2 OLI theory

2.1.3 UPPSALA model

2.1.4 Multi stage theory

2.1.5 The lessons from dragon and regional multinationals

2.2 BORN GLOBAL FIRMS

2.2.1 Born Global Firms and its characteristics

2.2.2 Internationalization behaviour of Born Global Firms

2.2.3 Summary

2.3 KEY INFLUENCES ON EARLY AND RAPID INTERNATIONALIZATION– A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

2.3.1 Foundation of the conceptual model

2.3.2 Conceptual model

2.3.3 Key influences on the early and rapid internationalization

2.3.4 Summary

3 THE EUROPEAN AVIATION AND THE EASYJET AIRLINE

3.1 EUROPEAN AVIATION

3.1.1 Systematisation of air traffic

3.1.2 Deregulation of the air traffic

3.1.3 Market definition

3.1.4 Facts and figures

3.2 THE EASYJET AIRLINE

3.2.1 History

3.2.2 Business strategy

3.2.3 Fleet

3.2.4 Passengers

3.2.5 Competition

4 METHODOLOGY

4.1 THE CASE STUDY APPROACH

4.2 SELECTION OF THE CASE STUDY

4.3 CASE STUDY PROCEDURE

4.4 DATA COLLECTION

4.5 DATA ANALYSIS

5 ANALYSIS OF THE KEY INFLUENCES ON EASYJET’S EARLY AND RAPID INTERNATIONALIZATION

5.1 MARKET CONDITIONS

5.1.1 Market conditions in the United Kingdom

5.1.2 Host country conditions in the Netherlands

5.1.3 Industry-specific conditions

5.1.4 Summary

5.2 RESOURCES

5.2.1 Organizational resources

5.2.2 Social resources

5.2.3 Human resources

5.2.4 Physical resources

5.2.5 Technological resources

5.2.6 Financial resources

5.2.7 Summary

6 CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation investigates the factors that contributed to the rapid and early internationalization of the low-cost airline easyJet. By applying a single case study approach, the research aims to identify both market-related and resource-related influences that enabled the company to expand into international markets shortly after its foundation.

• Analysis of Born Global Firm (BGF) characteristics in the aviation industry.
• Examination of market-related influences (e.g., market conditions, deregulation, competition).
• Evaluation of resource-based influences (e.g., top management experience, networks, access to capital).
• Application of the conceptual model by Wessely (2010) to the easyJet case.
• Assessment of the role of leadership, risk tolerance, and innovation in early internationalization.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 INTRODUCTION: Presents the research question and objectives regarding the early internationalization of easyJet as a Born Global Firm.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW ON INTERNATIONALIZATION: Provides an overview of international business theories, defines Born Global Firms, and introduces a conceptual model for analysis.

3 THE EUROPEAN AVIATION AND THE EASYJET AIRLINE: Describes the European aviation market and the development of the low-cost carrier easyJet.

4 METHODOLOGY: Explains the case study approach, data collection methods, and the rationale behind choosing easyJet for the study.

5 ANALYSIS OF THE KEY INFLUENCES ON EASYJET’S EARLY AND RAPID INTERNATIONALIZATION: Empirically examines market-related and resource-related factors influencing easyJet’s international growth.

6 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the research findings, offers management implications, and suggests paths for future research.

Keywords

Born Global Firms, Internationalization strategies, early internationalization, rapid internationalization, airline industry, easyJet, low-cost carrier, market conditions, resource-based view, management, aviation deregulation, growth patterns, competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The work focuses on identifying the key influences that favored the early and rapid internationalization of the low-cost airline easyJet.

What are the core thematic areas covered?

The study covers international business theories, the specific phenomenon of Born Global Firms, market conditions in the aviation industry, and organizational resources.

What is the primary research question?

The central question is: "What key influences favoured the rapid and early internationalization of the low-cost airline easyJet?"

Which methodology is applied?

The research uses a single case study content analysis approach, utilizing secondary data such as reports, books, articles, and statistical information.

What does the main body analyze?

It analyzes the market-related and resource-related variables based on Wessely’s (2010) conceptual model, specifically looking at easyJet's development from 1995 to 2000.

Which keywords define this work?

Key terms include Born Global Firms, internationalization strategies, airline industry, and competitive advantage.

How does easyJet’s age affect its internationalization?

The study finds that the young age of easyJet, combined with a proactive management approach and access to capital, significantly facilitated its ability to penetrate foreign markets rapidly.

What role does the founder play in easyJet’s internationalization?

The founder, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is identified as a critical factor, possessing an international vision, risk-taking propensity, and the ability to leverage informal networks, such as financial support from his family.