Another factor that we consider important in the internationalisation process is political considerations in addition to commercial considerations. Derived from the studied companies the following examples may be presented. If we made a correct interpretation of Mr. Johansson at Perstorp AB political considerations was of great importance when the company in the early 1950s, during the cold war, via agents investigated the possibility to establish production in a number non-European countries. Perstorp AB saw the risk of a threat from Russia and a possible invasion of Sweden. The most obvious impact of the studied companies' internationalisation regarding political considerations and political changes has the last 15 years had. The fall of the Communism in the Eastern Europe and the introduction of market economy instead of planned economy in the former Communist countries have created new market opportunities. One example is Backer AB's early establishment in Poland and Czech Republic. Further, the company points out Russia and the Baltic countries as important potential markets.

   Furninova has right from the start mainly placed the production in Poland, which probably has been a crucial factor for the company's quick expansion. In Skane the company is ranked number 52 on a list of "gasellcompany". The conditions for a "gasellcompany" are a combination of fast organic growth and good finances. Furninova has also established export to the Baltic countries and Ukraine.

   As far as we are concerned the factors that have influenced the market condition the most in Eastern Europe the last decade, are the political changes and the following changes in the economic market. This applies at least to the Swedish small and medium sized companies possibilities to expand internationally. A new large nearby market has opened up both for sales and production for these companies. We believe that this change may continue to speed up due to the expansion of the European Union. In our opinion the effects of these political changes have not been considered important in our theoretical framework regarding the internationalisation of Swedish companies.