Internationalization is extensively studied in academic literature and remains critical in today’s interconnected global economy. As globalization accelerates, companies increasingly look beyond their domestic markets to remain competitive and drive sustainable growth. Consequently, internationalization emerges as a key strategy for expanding market reach, enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring long-term survival in dynamic and competitive environments. This study analyzes the primary factors influencing internationalization strategies of Portuguese companies in the wholesale hardware sector. A survey conducted among companies in this industry gathers data on internationalization practices and entry modes. Logit regression models identify and quantify the impact of various factors, including market potential and cultural distance, on companies’ decision-making processes. Results indicate that market potential and cultural distance significantly influence the choice of international entry modes. While most hypotheses find support, linguistic differences do not significantly affect internationalization decisions. These findings offer valuable insights into strategic decisions of hardware sector companies and enhance understanding of internationalization processes, particularly in emerging market contexts.