Piaskowska-Lewandowska, Dorota AnnaDorota AnnaPiaskowska-Lewandowska2019-03-282019-03-282017 Emera2017978-1-78743-719-7http://hdl.handle.net/10197/9725Prior research has tended to view cross-country distance as an obstacle. Yet, differences across countries are a key reason for firms to internationalize. To address this discrepancy, this paper puts forward a unifying framework which (1) synthesizes and delineates the different types of cross-country distance, (2) provides a logic for analyzing cross-level influences of distance on internationalization decisions, and (3) highlights the opportunities brought about by distance. The paper argues that firms are more likely to be able to realize these opportunities when they have internationally experienced managers and diverse, well functioning top management teams at the helm. The paper also highlights the complex influences of distance, calling for the use of cognitive and behavioral research methodologies to further our understanding of the role of distance in internationalization. An illustrative example of Vodafone Group PLC is included.enThis article is © Emerald Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here www.researchrepository.ucd.ie. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Cross-country distanceInternalizationCross-level influencesBook Chapter2018-02-06https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/