•Non-linear internationalization is explained by the role of individuals.•Biases and cognitive-, emotional- and social triggers affect managers’ decisions.•Distinguishes between process and outcome of commitment decisions.•Discontinuous internationalization processes are rare.•Disruptive outcomes can occur through incremental commitment processes. In this conceptual paper, we add to the discourse on the Uppsala model’s (in)ability to explain a firm’s internationalization through non-linear dynamics and discontinuities by highlighting individuals’ behaviors. We include (more) realistic assumptions about cognitive, emotional, and social triggers as well as biases that affect managers’ decision-making. Distinguishing between the process and outcome of resource commitment decisions, we conclude that, though discontinuous internationalization processes are rare, disruptive outcomes can occur through incremental commitment processes.