Final answer:
A firm may be in more than one stage of international marketing involvement simultaneously. This denotes the multidimensional approach firms may adopt in their international endeavors, without necessarily following a strict linear progression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the stages of international marketing involvement, it is true that a firm may be in more than one stage simultaneously. This is because the process of internationalization is not always linear or sequential; companies often engage in multiple types and levels of international activities at the same time. For example, a firm might still be exporting to some countries while establishing a joint venture or foreign direct investment in others. Furthermore, the international marketing stage can indeed represent a high level of involvement, but it is not necessarily the highest as companies could pursue deeper integration through strategic alliances, joint ventures or full ownership of overseas operations.
Additionally, a firm does not necessarily begin its international involvement at the second stage; it could start with any form of indirect exporting or direct investment depending on its strategy and opportunities. Lastly, the final stage of international marketing involvement does not typically involve no direct foreign marketing; in fact, it might involve very significant and direct market engagement.