Lighting the world

: the internationalization of MD Group

Abstract

This dissertation aims to explore the internationalization of MD Group, a one-stop-shop Portuguese supplier of injection moulding solutions, which exports around 95% of its production. The company’s business is designing, engineering and manufacturing injection moulds and injection plastics parts. The study focuses on MD’s approach to global competitive factors, market trends, entry modes, international strategies and future opportunities, and how the company competes globally in light of all of these observations. This study is merely pedagogic and has the goal to exhibit the internationalization challenges and opportunities for MD Group and the injection moulding industry. Throughout the case, it is possible to identify MD’s resources and capabilities, network of business relationships and ability to identify new markets as crucial aspects of the company’s competitive advantage and at the core of its international strategy. Furthermore, MD’s internationalization strategy reflects a balance between high-quality standards in terms of production and customer relationship, and adapting to distinct market demands. Lastly, in the future the forecasted saturation of traditional automotive markets like Europe and North America are a challenge to take into consideration. Therefore, successful new ventures into significant markets such as India, China and eventually South Asia (i.e. Indonesia and Vietnam) will be crucial for MD’s international journey, as there are many psychic distances, competitive barriers and the possible need of product adaptation.

Date of Award	26 Jun 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ricardo Reis (Supervisor)