According to a survey conducted by Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) on behalf of AT&T, the integration of communications and IT networks is critical to making global expansion work.

The worldwide survey reveals that 42% of firms will be deriving half or more of their revenue from foreign markets within two years, compared to 30% of firms that can claim this today. Emerging markets such as India and China figure prominently as the overseas destinations of greatest interest.

Key findings also show that 40% of the respondents considered mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as part of their company's international growth strategy during the next two years. However, the difficulty of integrating communications and IT networks is identified as a common M&A pitfall by 13% of those polled.

Companies today realise their growth abroad must be supported by corresponding IT and network investment. To enable expansion, one in five companies plans to increase investment in its network during the next two years by more than 2%, and another 43% of executives say their companies will boost spending between 10% and 25%.

"The potential rewards of global expansion are immense, from revenue windfalls in high-growth emerging markets to substantial efficiencies from the use of overseas suppliers and services providers," said Denis McCauley, director of Global Technology Research with the Economist Intelligence Unit. "But in order to harness this, companies need to think not only about using clear management thinking and flexible structures but also the right technology for the job."