National Economics University
E-PhD Programme Seminar Series

Internationalization under competition: Simulation and AI Approaches

by

Dr. Michael Wolfesberger
WU Vienna | Institute for International Business

Time and Venue
Time: 4.00PM – 5.00PM
Date: Friday, March 14th, 2025
Venue: Room A2-501, Level 5, Building A2, National Economics University
207 Giai Phong Road, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract
In oligopolistic market settings, multinational firms’ foreign market entries are considered competitive moves against a rival to maintain competitive parity. This research seminar first reviews the literature on competitive dynamics and interactions. In a second step, we introduce a simulation to model the organizational expansion across borders of two competing firms using two common theories of international expansion to explore structured variations in performance outcomes. Building on this simulation, I will show how we can use deep reinforcement learning to train these firms to find a profit-optimizing internationalization strategy for different industry- and firm-level parameters. The results, as well as the theoretical implications of this research, are discussed. Additionally, we will discuss issues when trying to publish such research and the PhD experience in Europe.

About presenter
Michael Wolfesberger is an Assistant Professor of International Business at WU Vienna. Michael’s research interests lie in the intersection of non-market, global strategy, and AI. One of his research streams focuses on how multinational companies (MNCs) use non-market resources in their internationalization decisions and how the non-market environment influences MNC performance. In the second stream, Michael uses simulation and machine learning methods to study internationalization decisions under competition. Michael’s has been awarded nationally and internationally. He has received the Stephan-Koren- Preis (awarded to WU’s best dissertations), the EIBA Best Doctoral Thesis Proposal in International Business Award, or the Northeastern University Award for the Best Dissertation in International Management from the Academy of Management.

About series
This seminar series is part of the E-PhD Program at National Economics University. It targets PhD students, early-career researchers, and senior faculty who find interested in doing research in the areas of economics, business, management, and other inter-disciplinary fields of social science. The series is a platform for the wider research community to exchange ideas, networks and collaborations.

Contact details
Bach Ngoc Thang
Seminar series coordinator
Room 15.07, Level 15, Building A1
Institute for Sustainable Development
National Economics University
207 Giai Phong Road, Hanoi, Vietnam
M: +84 35 443 1750, Web: isd.neu.edu.vn
E: bnthang@gmail.com, or thangbn@neu.edu.vn
W: http://isd.neu.edu.vn/