Two dimensions of the internationalization of firms

The debate about measuring the degree of internationalization of firms has not solved the question about the usefulness of having one index on the internationalization of firms. This article argues in favour of constructing indices, if the components of those are theoretically and empirically coherent. It also proves empirically that there are at least two dimensions of internationalization: one referring to the activities of firms abroad and one relating to the proximity of the firm to international capital markets. Using a sample of the 100 largest German companies, this study shows that both dimensions, the real and the financial one, do not co-vary and therefore cannot be combined into one index.