Internationalization is a complex process that is neither always forward moving nor monotonic. Firms often reduce the depth and scope of their international footprint or even completely withdraw from foreign markets. Although scholars have recognized that there are cycles of de-internationalization and re-internationalization (and increasingly pressures for back-shoring), the antecedents and motivators for these internationalization pathways have received limited attention. In this study, we first review prior explanations as to why firm behaviour exhibits cycles of de-internationalization and re-internationalization. We then formulate an integrative framework and propose a comprehensive agenda for future research aimed at advancing internationalization theory.

国际化是一个复杂的过程，既不总是向前推进，也不单调。公司通常会减少其国际足迹的深度和范围，甚至完全退出国外市场。尽管学者们已经认识到存在去国际化和再国际化的循环（以及越来越多的回流压力），但这些国际化途径的前因和动机受到的关注有限。在这项研究中，我们首先回顾了先前关于为什么公司行为表现出去国际化和再国际化周期的解释。然后，我们制定了一个综合框架，并为旨在推进国际化理论的未来研究提出了一个综合议程。