Abstract:
The inclusion of the metaphysical in the understanding of international business
phenomena has, to date, been somewhat neglected. Furthermore, the scholarly work on
the influence of religion on strategic internationalisation decisions requires refinement.
In addition, the understanding of location choice and entry decisions taken by womenowned
enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa is nascent. The aim of this study was to
investigate the influence of religion on the strategic internationalisation decisions of
women-owned enterprises in South Africa. The study drew on institutional theory (in
particular, the cultural-cognitive institution) to ground the research. A qualitative research
method was employed in the analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews. The interviews
were conducted with women owners who identified as religious. The interviewees’
answers pertaining to their personal and business experiences provided a rich
description of their religious beliefs, values and practices. These influences were found
to be relevant to their enterprise decisions. However, religion was somewhat less
influential in specific internationalisation decisions, particularly in the location decision.
The location decision was influenced by the co-existence of economic and religious
influences and included non-religious networks. The influence of religion in entry
decisions was most evident in the pattern of internationalisation. The researcher posits
a possible religious influence in the unsystematic pattern of internationalisation of the
enterprises.
