We investigated the impact of digitalization on the marketing capabilities of internationalizing SMEs. Using a systematic literature review, we analyzed traditional, digital, and international SMEs. Our findings reveal how these different types of firms exhibit different levels of internationalization and digitalization in terms of their static, dynamic, and adaptive marketing capabilities. Our analysis resulted in a three-dimensional categorization of the literature based on firm type, level of digitalization and internationalization, and marketing capability type, from which we derived suggestions for future research. We supplemented our findings with a qualitative study of the least studied firm type in the literature: born digital international firms. Our qualitative findings supported our three-dimensional categorization framework and helped us formulate additional propositions for research on digital international marketing capabilities of SMEs.

This study investigates the role of Big Data Analytics (BDA) in shaping firms' internationalization strategies. Drawing on organizational learning theory and attention-based view, the research explores how BDA facilitates both learning processes crucial for firms expanding into global markets. Using dataset covering 250 US publicly listed firms, the study identifies a U-shaped relationship between BDA implementation and the degree of internationalization. Moreover, managers' attention to BDA moderates this relationship, strengthening the U-shaped impact of BDA implementation on the degree of internationalization. Our research adds novel insights and findings on the role of BDA in international business.

The pervasive influence of digitalization on contemporary business is undeniable. While its transformative potential is widely acknowledged by academic scholars, a robust measurement of digitalization remains elusive. Existing research often conceptualizes digitalization as a unified construct, neglecting its multidimensional nature. Our study addresses this gap by developing a psychometrically sound scale to measure digitalization. To obtain a generalizable scale, our study develops and validates 19 items, classifying them into four dimensions defining the construct of digitalization. By delineating and operationalizing the key dimensions underpinning digitalization (i.e., digital communication technology, digital in situ technology, digital data analytics technology, and digital networking technology), this research offers a finer-grained understanding of how firms leverage digital technologies. A validated scale will enhance the rigor of future research and provide valuable insights for practitioners seeking to optimize their digital strategies. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the field's theoretical and managerial advancement by providing a comprehensive and reliable measurement tool for digitalization.

This paper systematically reviews the relationship between digitalization and internationalization through a comprehensive review of the literature. Using Bibliometric and thematic analyses, we map the intellectual landscape, identifying key journals, influential papers, and research trends. Our thematic analysis highlights key themes within digitalization and internationalization, providing a structured overview of their complex interactions and strategic implications for global business practices. The findings indicate that digitalization often drives internationalization, though it can also act as a dependent or mediating variable. Specifically, digitalization is portrayed as an independent driver in most cases, with internationalization depending on its advancement. The study emphasizes the need for further research on the reciprocal influence of internationalization on digitalization and the impact of country-specific characteristics such as technology readiness and cultural distance. This research enriches the understanding of how digital technologies are transforming international business practices and provides a framework for future studies, offering valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in international business.