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Toward A Theory of International New Ventures
Abstract
The formation of organizations that are international from inception-international new ventures-is an increasingly important phenomenon that is incongruent with traditionally expected characteristics of multinational enterprises. A framework is presented that explains the phenomenon by integrating international business, entrepreneurship, and strategic management theory. That framework describes four necessary and sufficient elements for the existence of international new ventures: (1) organizational formation through internalization of some transactions, (2) strong reliance on alternative governance structures to access resources, (3) establishment of foreign location advantages, and (4) control over unique resources.
... Hence, it is necessary to bring out a process framework representing an internationalization strategy that best fits firms in emerging countries, of which Vietnam is a case study. There has been much theoretical research about the internationalization process with different stages in implementation, as summarized in Table 1, such as the Product Life Cycle theory (Vernon, 1966), the eclectic paradigm (Dunning, 2001), the Uppsala internationalization process (Johanson & Vahlne, 2009, 1977, international new ventures (INV; Oviatt & McDougall, 1994), the Casino model (Håkanson & Kappen, 2017) and the Springboard perspective (Luo & Tung, 2007, 2018. Most of the analyses from these theoretical approaches have focused on multinational enterprises in developed countries rather than enterprises in developing markets like Vietnam. ...
... Born-global theory, or international new ventures (INV; Oviatt & McDougall, 1994) Companies can orient to international expansion right from their inception by taking advantage of unique resources and selling output in many countries. ...
... Eight months later, Viettel continued to launch its own telecom network in Laos, expanding to new markets yearly, as shown in Figure 4. Besides the fact that it is a state-owned enterprise, that Viettel had started to consider internationalization after spending a long time doing business in the domestic market shows that the born-global model or INV framework (Oviatt & McDougall, 1994) does not correspond to Viettel's operations. ...
With the robust development of the integrated economy, offshore investment activities of Vietnamese enterprises have become more diversified, with numerous investment industries, scales and forms of investment, economic types, and number of enterprises participating. In this article, the case of the Viettel Group is used to explain three significant issues: namely, when, where, and how a sizeable Vietnamese company expanded internationally based on the Uppsala model reformed in 2009. The case study shows some convergence and divergence in how Viettel went abroad as it selected neighboring countries and countries with uncertain conditions to build its position through market commitments. Hence, this study confirmed the usefulness and feasibility of the Uppsala 2009 framework to clarify the international process of a prominent Vietnamese enterprise.
... A second bulk of research has investigated how networks offer a key strategic mechanism for INVs to gain access to the international market and mobilize resources that small entrepreneurial firms are initially unable to develop or buy by themselves (Oviatt and McDougall 1994). Wigren-Kristoferson et al. (2022) argued that firms leverage resources from other network actors to overcome the liabilities of smallness and newness. ...
... In the course of our selection, after reviewing recent works on the matter (Coviello 2015), we adopted a definition that coalesced a broad consensus from scholars (Oviatt and McDougall 1994;p.58), referring to INVs as (a) young, internationalizing firms and new ventures launched in older, established multinationals; (b) pursuing a range of value chain activities; and (c) adopting various entry strategies, including foreign direct investment (FDI). ...
... As the focus of the research was on the use of the network in achieving a rapid pace of internationalization, the nationality of the firm was not one of the selection criteria used in the replication logic. All firms geared their businesses toward the international market from inception and complied with the definition of value chain coordination across countries (Oviatt and McDougall 1994). The purposeful selection operationalized for replication is consistent with similar studies presented in the literature conducted from a multiple-case perspective. ...
Despite widespread recognition that an enterprise’s critical resources may extend beyond its traditional boundaries, a thin layer of empirical research has investigated the dynamics of international new ventures (INVs) in leveraging network strategies for rapid international growth. This study addresses this gap by elucidating the evolution of operational value networks that firms construct and manage during their internationalization processes. Data were collected from five nascent European INVs via a qualitative exploratory case-study methodology. The paper’s main contribution lies in gauging network evolution during the internationalization process and offering insights into the structure and interactions of INV network management. It contributes to informing our understanding of the information and knowledge flows that play a special role in the strategic management of the network of INVs. The structural factors were analyzed by looking at the type of ties forming the network and its size, density, or sparsity. The interactional network factors considered the type of relational exchanges INVs adopted during the internationalization strategies. This latter aspect was analyzed to reveal the impact of internal and external information and knowledge flows considering the type of activity (data-driven or human-led) and mode of expansion (explorative or exploitative). Seventeen propositions are articulated, contributing to the extant literature by shedding light upon how network management in young INVs evolves over time, aligning with their internationalization learning trajectories and growth phases. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of network strategies in facilitating the rapid international expansion of INVs and provide a nuanced understanding of the strategic management of knowledge and information flows within these networks.
... Although previous research on AIFs and international entrepreneurship acknowledges the entrepreneur's importance (Jones et al., 2011;Oviatt & McDougall, 1994;Zucchella, 2021), surprisingly few studies explicitly focus on the entrepreneur. 2 Many international entrepreneurship studies implicitly regard entrepreneurs as important (e.g., Knight & Cavusgil, 2004;Zucchella, 2021), but they typically merge the entrepreneur, the top management team and the firm together, treating them as the same unit of analysis (Covin & Miller, 2014). ...
... Hennart (2014) and other BM researchers (Abrahamsson et al., 2019;Brouthers et al., 2016;Child et al., 2017;Dow, 2017;Dunford et al., 2010;Kraus et al., 2017) do not explicitly investigate the potential impact of the entrepreneur on the acceleration of internationalization. However, other studies contend that top management (Hambrik & Mason, 1984;Kunisch et al., 2019) and entrepreneurs themselves play a central role in 1 We define AIFs as firms that internationalize quickly in terms of earliness, scope of foreign countries entered and international sales commitment (Knight & Cavusgil, 2004;Oviatt & McDougall, 1994). Research has also used terms such as 'international new ventures' and 'born-globals' to describe similar types of firms that feature accelerated internationalization (e.g., Hennart, 2014;Weerawardena et al., 2007). 2 For example, Jones et al.'s (2011) review of international entrepreneurship research uncovers only three articles with a focus on entrepreneurs (McGaughey, 2007;Perks & Hughes, 2008;Ruzzier et al., 2007); although these studies emphasise the entrepreneur's role in internationalization, they do not investigate the BM's role. ...
... 3 In the next sections, we review previous research and draw conclusions based on these studies; we present our positioning against the identified key articles in Table 1. Oviatt and McDougall (1994): Conceptual article Build on international entrepreneurship to create a framework for explaining the emergence of international new ventures X Knight and Cavusgil (2004): Qualitative case study and quantitative method Show that born globals (BGs) leverage a distinctive mix of international entrepreneurial and marketing orientations and strategies that allow them to succeed in diverse international markets The study examines BM innovation, not the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers and captures value. It also focuses on firm-level EO, not the entrepreneurial mindset perspective, and investigates the mediating role of BM innovation between EO and international performance, not internationalization of the firm ...
Research suggests that accelerated internationalization is accidental and that a firm-specific business model (BM) determines which firms become accelerated internationalizers and which become gradual internationalizers. However, in analysing entrepreneurs adopting different internationalization types (accelerated and gradual) from Finland, New Zealand and Sweden, we find a complex interplay between entrepreneurs’ mindsets and emerging BM practices with respect to their internationalizing firms. These practices enable small international firms to eliminate the time and cost penalties associated with the triple liabilities of accelerated internationalization (i.e., newness, outsidership and smallness). This study contributes to the literature by reconciling the alternative explanations offered in previous research and reveals how entrepreneurs’ global and regional mindsets affect their BM practices, leading to different international trajectories. It further contributes by showing that the entrepreneur’s role may be more important than that of the BM.
... we examine research on born global firms (BGs), international new ventures (INVs), and international entrepreneurship (IE). This issue marks the 30th and 20th anniversaries, respectively, of the seminal works by Oviatt and McDougall (1994) and Knight and Cavusgil (2004). BGs and INVs represent enterprising firms that begin internationalizing at or near their founding. ...
... In the early 1990s, scholars began to notice that many small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were becoming international shortly after founding (e.g., Oviatt & McDougall, 1994). The terms "born globals" (BGs; Knight & Cavusgil, 2004) and "international new ventures" (INVs; Oviatt & McDougall, 1994) were conceived to describe such firms. ...
... In the early 1990s, scholars began to notice that many small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were becoming international shortly after founding (e.g., Oviatt & McDougall, 1994). The terms "born globals" (BGs; Knight & Cavusgil, 2004) and "international new ventures" (INVs; Oviatt & McDougall, 1994) were conceived to describe such firms. However, given that extant IB theories had been developed in the context of large multinational enterprises (MNEs), some scholars observed that such perspectives were insufficient to explain the distinctive characteristics and experiences of BGs and INVs (e.g., Hashai & Almor, 2004;Knight & Cavusgil, 1996;McCormick & Somaya, 2020). ...
... According to Revindo, Indrawati & Hambali (2019), the discussion of the corporate internationalization has evolved beyond the initial perspective of internalization/transaction cost theory, the eclectic paradigm, and monopolistic advantage theories, which were later deemed insufficient. This discussion continued with several contemporary perspective, such as the stage theory developed by Johanson & Vahlne (1977,1990), the network model proposed by Johanson Oviatt & McDougall (1994), and resource-based view developed by Wernerfelt (1984) and Barney (1991). In addition, Oviatt & McDougall (1994) introduced the concept of International New Ventures (INVs) or the born global firms, which explore how rapidly companies can develop in international markets. ...
... This discussion continued with several contemporary perspective, such as the stage theory developed by Johanson & Vahlne (1977,1990), the network model proposed by Johanson Oviatt & McDougall (1994), and resource-based view developed by Wernerfelt (1984) and Barney (1991). In addition, Oviatt & McDougall (1994) introduced the concept of International New Ventures (INVs) or the born global firms, which explore how rapidly companies can develop in international markets. ...
The primary objectives of this study are threefold: first, to investigate whether the challenges faced by micro and small industries motivate them to enter into partnerships; second, to assess the impact of partnerships on company productivity; and third, to explore the causal relationship between productivity and exports. We aim to determine whether productivity influences exports and vice versa or if a two-way relationship exists. The data used in this study consists of annual survey data from micro and small manufacturing companies, randomly collected by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2015, with a total sample of 58,290 observations. The methodologies employed include Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to address endogeneity and selection bias issues when measuring the impact of partnerships on productivity. In addition, the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) framework involves logit regression estimation to assess whether perceived problems influence decisions regarding partnerships and training. The second stage of our analysis employs Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) estimation to investigate the simultaneity of productivity and exports. The results indicate that issues related to capital and raw materials significantly motivate companies to engage in partnerships, both in a general context and specific concerning capital and raw materials. Conversely, marketing issues do not significantly influence on marketing partnerships, although they do play a significant role in fostering general partnerships. Meanwhile, issues related to workforce skills do not appear to impact a company’s decision to engage in partnerships or conduct training programs. In terms of production and export estimation, general and specific partnerships demonstrated significantly higher positive impacts on productivity for companies that engage in these collaborative efforts. The 2SLS estimates support the findings from the PSM analysis, confirming that general and specific partnerships improve productivity. Furthermore, the simultaneous relationship estimation reveals a bidirectional relationship between productivity and exports.
... The answer may be found at the very heart of entrepreneurship theory: the pursuit of opportunities to create and deliver value (Kirzner, 1997;Shane & Venkataraman, 2000). In the field of international entrepreneurship, crossterritorial opportunity exploration is seen as driven by local market imperfections, information and knowledge acquired from social networks, and high growth of firms (Jones & Coviello, 2005;Oviatt & McDougall, 2005). Similar discussions can be found in the entrepreneurship literature, where contextual conditions can support (or undermine) on productive entrepreneurial activity (Ardichvili et al., 2003;Wurth et al., 2022). ...
... Research consistently shows that high-growth firms behave differently. Studies on international entrepreneurship highlight that firms with higher growth exhibit a stronger international orientation (Oviatt & McDougall, 2005), which benefits innovation (Kafouros et al., 2008) and growth (Kyläheiko et al., 2011). The international business and entrepreneurship literatures further establish that relationships to foreign partners are a key firm-level internationalization mechanism (Johanson & Vahlne, 2009;Jones & Coviello, 2005;Lindstrand & Melén Hånell, 2017). ...
We investigate the international network activity of entrepreneurial firms and its implications for the territorial boundaries of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Integrating the idea that territory and networks are distinct structures that can overlap with prior work suggesting that interorganizational networks formed by entrepreneurial firms pursuing opportunities transcend geographic boundaries, we focus on the antecedents to the international network activity of entrepreneurial firms in entrepreneurial ecosystems. We study how entrepreneurial ecosystem conditions, network embeddedness, and speed of firm growth influence the international network activity of 290 dedicated biotech firms located in four regional entrepreneurial ecosystems in Sweden over a period of 10 years. Descriptive data analyses reveal that the interorganizational networks created by the firms in our sample span territorial boundaries with more than half of all network activity involving a partner located in a foreign country. The results of a series of panel regression analyses further indicate that the conditions in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystems and firm characteristics influence the extent of international network activity. Through our work, we add to the scholarly understanding of the complex geography of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Our research highlights that the network activity of entrepreneurial firms oftentimes spans the territorial boundaries of entrepreneurial ecosystems and suggests that thinking outside the box of traditional predetermined administrative or political boundaries may inform more effective policy.
... Internationalization is no longer an individual story of any specific company and country. Earlier accelerated internationalization studies primarily focused on multinational enterprises (MNEs) in developed countries with widespread known theories such as Uppsala frameworks Vahlne 2009, 1977), International New Ventures (INV) or Born Global (Oviatt and McDougall 1994), Casino model (Håkanson and Kappen 2017). The Uppsala theory discussed a step-by-step internationalization process starting from the destination with the closest psychic distance. ...
... Compared to the theory of international new ventures (Oviatt and McDougall 1994), the paper has not distinguished how internationalization decisions are made between high-tech and low-tech SMEs, especially in the current digital transformation trend. In addition, the study still left open the possibility of differences in the decision to internationalize between government-or foreign-controlled companies. ...
The wave of internationalization has impacted all countries around the world, bringing both new opportunities and challenges not only to multinational companies but also to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Choosing a strategic destination for the success of internationalization activities is one of the challenges worth addressing. Based on the springboard perspective, this research aims to provide insights into the criteria that SMEs need to consider to make informed decisions about appropriate internationalization destinations. Accordingly, the compatible range of the springboard perspective is expanded to SMEs in emerging economies. By applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology, the study proposes a priority order for criteria that emerging-economy SMEs need to consider in the decision-making process. Accordingly, potential destinations for emerging-economy SMEs’ internationalization journey need to be considered based on three key criteria, namely opportunity identification, incentives in the host country, and cultural distance, in order of decreasing priority. In addition, SMEs from Vietnam, a representative emerging economy, also showed a view that developed economies are identified as the most attractive destinations for them.
... Since those early definitions by Oviatt and McDougall (1994) and Knight (1997), the concept of entrepreneurship internationalization has gained popularity in academia (Fletcher, 2004). However, it is important to differentiate between entrepreneurship internationalization and SME internationalization, which is often treated as a subcategory within broader entrepreneurship internationalization research (Jones et al., 2011;Steinhäuser et al., 2021). ...
... The concept of international entrepreneurship, first introduced by Oviatt and McDougall (1994), brought with it the notion of internationalization speed (Casillas & Acedo, 2013). Oviatt and McDougall initially defined the speed of internationalization as the time from a company's incorporation to its first international sales. ...
This study examines the internationalization strategies of Galician entrepreneurs and SMEs, focusing on early internationalization trends. The main objective is to develop a regulatory framework that enables entrepreneurs and established SMEs to approach foreign markets effectively. From a qualitative approach, the research analyzed data from Galician firms to construct the Galician Entrepreneurship Internationalization (GEI) matrix. Data were collected through surveys and supplemented from the Vigo Free Trade Zone database, covering exporting companies founded between 1999 and 2021. Qualitative analysis and matrix modeling were applied to categorize firms into distinct internationalization stages, considering factors such as market breadth, export intensity, and speed of entry. Four company profiles emerged from the analysis. The findings reveal that newer companies, influenced by technological advances and favorable public policies, tend to internationalize within a year of inception. The GEI Matrix offers valuable insights for public policymakers and business managers aiming to promote early internationalization.
... By facilitating the identification of opportunities, in fact, wider networks of contacts have been identified as important determinants of exports (Bell 1995), foreign market selection and entry initiatives (Coviello and Munro 1995;Hitt et al. 2002) as well as born-globals' early internationalization (Oviatt and McDougall 1995) because network ties help understand where foreign opportunities emerge and how quickly they can be exploited (Oviatt and McDougall 2005). Consistently, a number of studies underline the importance of networking for both IE (Bell 1995;Coviello and Munro 1997;Oviatt and McDougall 1994) and the speed of IE (Oviatt and McDougall 2005). ...
Building upon Upper Echelon theory, this paper investigates how work experience diversity in top management teams (TMTs) affects the speed of international entrepreneurship. We hypothesize that TMTs with higher work-experience diversity provide firms with richer human and social capital, which allows them to more quickly identify and take advantage of business opportunities in foreign markets. We also argue that this effect is amplified (weakened) when the CEO shares significant (little) functional experience with the TMT members. The results of fixed effects Poisson regressions on a longitudinal sample of 111 UK-based firms over an 11-year long period support our hypotheses.
... It has been three decades since Oviatt and McDougall (1994) introduced international entrepreneurship (IE) as a multidisciplinary domain incorporating entrepreneurship and international business studies. According to McDougall and Oviatt (2000), IE explores the extent to which small and entrepreneurial firms embrace riskseeking, proactive, and innovative activities to explore and exploit foreign market business opportunities. ...
... At present, there are two principal categories: initial speed and post-entry speed. The former focuses on the period between a firm's foundation and its initial internationalization [21,22], indicating the point at which the firm begins its foreign expansion. It measures 'how early' rather than 'how fast' the internationalization process begins. ...
On the basis of upper echelons theory, this paper examines the effect of TMT faultlines on internationalization speed and considers the contextual factors that may affect the focal relationship. We focus on A-share listed manufacturing enterprises in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets from 2010 to 2016 to explore the nexuses. The conclusions indicate that TMT faultlines exerts a significant negative influence on the speed of internationalization. However, the presence of executives shareholding and dynamic capabilities serve to mitigate the negative impact to some extent. These findings hold both theoretical and practical significance for Chinese firms’ internationalization in the context of the ‘double-loop strategy’.
... Small businesses play a pivotal role in creating paid employment and making investments, which significantly impacts economic development. SMEs' focus on innovation and growth has led to expected development outcomes, including faster-growing high-tech companies and dynamic initiatives driven by international expansion [51,64]. ...
Purpose This study examines the impact of manufacturing value-added, retail trade, and value-added agriculture on the Real Gross Domestic Product of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands from 1970 to 2021. Design/methodology/approach The analysis utilizes stationary variables at level I(0) and applies the least squares method along with the Vector Autoregressive model. These methods focus on key variables critical to the Dutch economy, particularly the manufacturing sector, where many SMEs operate. Findings The study finds that a 1% increase in Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade leads to Real Gross Domestic Production growth of 35% and 30%, respectively, with strong correlations (0.80 for Manufacturing Value Added and 0.70 for Retail Trade) between these variables and Real Gross Domestic Production. The model's high R-squared value (87.3%) suggests that Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade have long-term effects on Real Gross Domestic Production, while also influencing each other and Value Added Agriculture. Vector Autoregressive analysis further supports these findings, demonstrating Manufacturing Value Added's substantial impact on Retail Trade and Value Added Agriculture. Additionally, the study identifies short-term effects, where Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade contribute significantly to Real Gross Domestic Production variations. Originality/value This study highlights the pivotal role of the manufacturing sector in driving economic growth by increasing product diversity and employment. Small and Medium Enterprises demonstrate faster growth and adaptability to new technologies than multinational corporations. Moreover, consumer demand for unique, Small Medium Enterprises-produced goods surpasses demand for mass-produced items from large companies, further emphasizing the value of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Dutch economy.
... In International Entrepreneurship approach, the entrepreneurial orientation is key, which is in turn dependent on the entrepreneurs' knowledge about the industry and the international markets Oviatt and McDougall, 1994). Entrepreneurial orientation enables the firm to internationalise under high committed modes from or near inception without first gaining experiential knowledge in the most accessible domestic market. ...
Knowledge is paramount to firms’ internationalisation, especially for those firms with lower size. This systematic review looks at them and analyses the intellectual structure of the scientific literature on knowledge required for the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We analysed the content of 224 articles found on the intersection of knowledge and SMEs’ internationalisation for the period 1984-2017. We classified the content into theoretical approaches, entry modes, target variables, methods, home and host geographical areas and industries analysed. We examined the dynamics of descriptors over time by splitting the period into two non-overlapping sub-periods based on the information technology eras: Digitalization and Age of Acceleration, which have had an impact on possibilities of SMEs’ internationalisation. We mapped the intellectual structure of research in a two-dimensional graph. Four areas of descriptors with singular distributions were found and discussed. Finally, we propose a research agenda in five research avenues.
... Finding suitable mediators or moderators is a little challenging, however, and studies of EO have incorporated both internal factors like resources and competence of entrepreneurs as well as a variety of contextual factors (Tajeddini and Mueller, 2018;Ok et al. 2017;Zhijie et al. 2019a;Petkovic and Sorak, 2019). The contextual variables on international entrepreneurial goals and performance must be systematically analysed for each rising market (Oviatt and McDougall, 2005). There is a great need to better understand how institutions affect entrepreneurship in developing economies (Autio, 2005). ...
... Small businesses play a pivotal role in creating paid employment and making investments, which significantly impacts economic development. SMEs' focus on innovation and growth has led to expected development outcomes, including faster-growing high-tech companies and dynamic initiatives driven by international expansion [51,64]. ...
Purpose This study examines the impact of manufacturing value-added, retail trade, and value-added agriculture on the Real Gross Domestic Product of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands from 1970 to 2021. Design/methodology/approach The analysis utilizes stationary variables at level I(0) and applies the least squares method along with the Vector Autoregressive model. These methods focus on key variables critical to the Dutch economy, particularly the manufacturing sector, where many SMEs operate. Findings The study finds that a 1% increase in Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade leads to Real Gross Domestic Production growth of 35% and 30%, respectively, with strong correlations (0.80 for Manufacturing Value Added and 0.70 for Retail Trade) between these variables and Real Gross Domestic Production. The model's high R-squared value (87.3%) suggests that Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade have long-term effects on Real Gross Domestic Production, while also influencing each other and Value Added Agriculture. Vector Autoregressive analysis further supports these findings, demonstrating Manufacturing Value Added's substantial impact on Retail Trade and Value Added Agriculture. Additionally, the study identifies short-term effects, where Manufacturing Value Added and Retail Trade contribute significantly to Real Gross Domestic Production variations. Originality/value This study highlights the pivotal role of the manufacturing sector in driving economic growth by increasing product diversity and employment. Small and Medium Enterprises demonstrate faster growth and adaptability to new technologies than multinational corporations. Moreover, consumer demand for unique, Small Medium Enterprises-produced goods surpasses demand for mass-produced items from large companies, further emphasizing the value of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Dutch economy.
... Finding suitable mediators or moderators is a little challenging, however, and studies of EO have incorporated both internal factors like resources and competence of entrepreneurs as well as a variety of contextual factors (Tajeddini and Mueller, 2018;Ok et al. 2017;Zhijie et al. 2019a;Petkovic and Sorak, 2019). The contextual variables on international entrepreneurial goals and performance must be systematically analysed for each rising market (Oviatt and McDougall, 2005). There is a great need to better understand how institutions affect entrepreneurship in developing economies (Autio, 2005). ...
This paper explores the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), entrepreneurial competencies (EC), and international performance of born global firms (BGFs). These firms from their inception, view the world as their marketplace and typically engage in international business activities. Given the increasingly globalized business environment, understanding the factors that contribute to their success is vital. This study investigates whether entrepreneurial orientation enhances the international performance of BGFs and how entrepreneurial competencies mediate this relationship. By reviewing the literature, research gaps in the context of born global firms were identified, a conceptual framework was also proposed. For the assessment of research constructs of the conceptual model, the data was collected from 201 senior managers/CEOs of these born global firms. The scales for the assessment of these measures were developed and refined by utilising robust research methods. Analysis was carried out in three stages, assessment of normality of data, assessment of measurement and structural model. On the basis of the results obtained implications for research and practice were presented along with study limitations. The paper offer insights for both practitioners and academics on how entrepreneurial orientation and competencies can foster global competitiveness of these organisations.
... By 1994, Oviatt and McDougall further developed a conceptualization of international new ventures (INVs) and define them as "a business organization that, from inception, seeks to derive significant competitive advantage from the use of resources and the sale of outputs in multiple countries" (1994, p. 49). Additionally, they also highlighted four elements of INVs, namely internalization of some transactions, reliance on alternative governance structures, foreign location advantage, and control over unique resources (McDougall & Oviatt 1994). ...
For over three decades, international entrepreneurship (IE) literature has evolved using a combination of international business and entrepreneurship theories and approaches to analyze international new ventures (INVs) or born global firms (BGs). There are three dimensions commonly attributed to firms that engage in IE: innovation, risk-seeking action, and proactive behavior. This systematic literature review analyzes the role of innovation within the IE literature. To do so, we applied the theory, context, characteristics, and methodology model (TCCM) to a corpus of 190 articles published between 2000 and 2022. Based on this analysis, we present an integrative framework and research opportunities in each of the eight identified streams: innovation ecosystems and networks in IE, knowledge as an innovation driver in IE, organizational culture and innovation in IE, the role of networks on innovation processes in IE, the relationship between innovation and performance in IE, the influence of innovation on internationalization speed of INV or BGs, entrepreneur traits and their influence on innovation in IE, the role of business models on innovation within IE, and the linkages between marketing and innovation on IE.
... Despite these obstacles, the drive toward internationalization is motivated by the need to access broader growth opportunities, enhance competitiveness, and overcome the limitations of the domestic market. Unlike traditional firms that expand internationally only after establishing a robust domestic presence, "born global" firms or international new ventures are those that actively pursue global markets from inception (Escandon- Barbosa et al., 2019;Oviatt & McDougall, 1994). Internationalization offers substantial benefits, including diversified revenue streams (Margolis & Calderon, 2021), access to advanced technologies (Ahi et al., 2022), and enhanced competitiveness (Sun et al., 2019), which in turn can stimulate economic growth through increased employment and foreign exchange flows (Demir et Various factors, both internal and external to entrepreneurial ventures, shape the landscape of internationalization. Digitalization, for instance, has lowered barriers to entry in foreign markets, making it easier for entrepreneurs to reach international customers and suppliers (Brieger et al., 2022). ...
This study examines the factors influencing the internationalization of early-stage Moroccan entrepreneurs, focusing on human capital, digitalization, and psychological traits. Drawing on Human Capital Theory, Dynamic Capability Theory, and Psychological Theories of Entrepreneurship, the research aims to explore how education, digitalization, fear of failure, self-efficacy, and opportunity perception impact export intensity. Using data from 524 early-stage entrepreneurs surveyed by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the study employs multiple regression analysis to evaluate the relationships between these factors and export activity. The findings reveal that opportunity perception significantly and positively influences export intensity, highlighting the critical role of entrepreneurial alertness in fostering internationalization. Conversely, education demonstrates a significant negative effect, suggesting that higher education levels may increase risk aversion, potentially deterring engagement in global markets. Surprisingly, digitalization, fear of failure, and self-efficacy do not show significant direct effects on export intensity, with the non-significant effect of digitalization reflecting context-specific challenges, such as limited strategic use, infrastructure gaps, and insufficient digital literacy. The study highlights the need for fostering opportunity recognition and aligning education with practical skills. It calls for investments in digital infrastructure, training, and entrepreneurial ecosystems to empower entrepreneurs in emerging economies.
... Oviatt ve McDougall (1994) ise terimi daha geniş bir perspektifle ele alarak, küresel doğan işletmeler yerine "uluslararası yeni girişim" ifadesini kullanmışlardır. Bu bağlamda, Oviatt ve McDougall, uluslararası yeni girişimleri, "kuruluşlarıyla birlikte kaynaklarını etkili bir şekilde kullanarak ve çıktılarını birçok ülkede pazarlayarak rekabet avantajı elde etmeye çalışan işletmeler" olarak tanımlamışlardır (Oviatt, McDougall, 1994). Knight ve Çavuşgil (1996) tarafından yapılan tanıma göre, küresel doğan işletmeler, "kuruluşlarının erken dönemlerinden itibaren uluslararası pazarlarda faaliyet gösteren küçük ve genellikle teknoloji odaklı şirketler" olarak karakterize edilmektedir. ...
Teknolojik gelişmelerin, bilgi ve iletişim teknolojilerindeki ilerlemelerinin ve küreselleşmenin bir sonucu olarak ortaya çıkan içinde yaşadığımız dijital çağ her şeyi radikal şekilde değiştirmiş, ekonomik hayat da bundan nasibini almıştır. Küçük ve orta ölçekli işletmeler (KOBİ), girişimcilik, dijitalleşme, uluslararasılaşma, yenilikçilik, yalınlık, esneklik, entelektüel sermaye (soyut varlıklar) vb. terimler bu yeni dönemin önemli kavramlarındandır. 1990’lı yıllarda ortaya çıkan “Küresel Doğan İşletmeler” (KDİ) kavramı; küçük ve orta büyüklükteki işletmeciliğin, girişimciliğin, uluslararasılaşmanın, yenilikçiliğin ve dijitalleşmenin tam keşişim noktasında yer almaktadır. Uluslararasılaşma, girişimcilik, yenilikçilik ve dijitalleşmeye olan ilgi sürdükçe kavrama olan ilginin de artarak sürmesi öngörülmektedir. Bu nedenle bu
çalışma ile küresel doğan işletmeler kavramının alan yazınındaki tarihsel genel gelişimi anlaşılmaya çalışılmış, kavram üzerine yapılan akademik yayınlar hem uluslararası hem de ulusal bazda listelenerek tasnif edilmiş ve analiz edilerek ileride yapılacak çalışmalara referans oluşturması amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda, çalışma kapsamında küresel doğan işletmelerin uluslararası ve ulusal alan yazınında
bibliyometrik bir analizi yapılmıştır. Uluslararası yazında Scopus veri tabanında taranan, 1997-2024 yılları arasındaki 692 akademik çalışma ele alınırken, ulusal yazında YÖKTEZ ve DergiPark veri tabanında 2024 yılına kadar incelenen doktora/yüksek lisans tezi ve akademik çalışmalardan oluşan 36 yayınlık bir koleksiyona ulaşılmıştır. Sonuçlar teorik ve yönetimsel açıdan yorumlanmıştır.
... They introduced the Uppsala internationalization model (Johanson & Vahlne, 1977;Johanson & Wiedersheim-Paul, 1975), which constitutes a pivotal contribution to shaping the internationalization theory of SMEs within the realm of international entrepreneurship. Oviatt and McDougall (1994) further advanced this theory by defining international new ventures (INV), also known as international start-ups. This emphasis on a distinct type of venture fuelled increased scholarly attention to early internationalization, diverging from traditional sequential models established by Johanson and Wiedersheim-Paul (1975) and Johanson and Vahlne (1977). ...
Objective: The objective of the article is to explore the impact of intellectual capital on firms’ propensity for early internationalization. Research Design & Methods: The scientific argument relied on scrutinizing the current knowledge base in the field and conducting empirical studies among Austrian startups. From these studies, we constructed a logistic regression model. Findings: According to the study findings, there exists a favourable dependence between prior international experience, level of education, and the early internationalization of new ventures. Implications & Recommendations: The study carries several practical implications. Entrepreneurs aiming for early internationalization should draw on their prior international exposure and recruit employees with similar experience. Furthermore, the significance of education level was noteworthy. A higher level of education correlates with a higher probability of early internationalization. Contribution & Value Added: The article addresses areas of research that have not yet been explored in early internationalization analyses. It can act as a foundation for more comprehensive studies on this phenomenon, including ventures from different countries.
... adaption is a vital attribute of entrepreneurial metacognition and a critical resource for entrepreneurs in international settings. Entrepreneurship often involves the movement of goods, services, and capital across international borders, including by "born globals" (Oviatt & McDougall, 1994). Nevertheless, despite the importance of international business for entrepreneurs, we still need to learn more about entrepreneurial metacognition and how it operates in different cultural contexts. ...
This review of the entrepreneurial metacognition literature systematizes the existing literature. Metacognition is vital for entrepreneurs to sense, act, and mobilize cognitive resources under uncertainty. Despite the rapidly growing stream of metacognitive research in entrepreneurship, indicating that the topic is promising and emerging, these bits of knowledge still need to be brought together to provide a big picture of where we have been to explore where we can go. Our review addresses this need by analyzing the literature on entrepreneurial metacognition. We define entrepreneurial metacognition as the mental activities of generating self-awareness and monitoring and controlling one’s cognition about identifying potential opportunities, creating a new venture, and/or managing a new venture. The inductive results reveal five attributes that reflect the essence of entrepreneurial metacognition: (1) adaptive cognition, (2) metaheuristics, (3) self-regulated cognition, (4) cultural adaptation, and (5) metacompetencies. We address definitional issues and empirical patterns, synthesize the attributes of entrepreneurial metacognition and present a model that links entrepreneurial metacognition’s antecedents and outcomes to advance future research.
... This assertion is further supported by research conducted by Felício et al. (2016), which consistently demonstrates a positive causal relationship between GM and the internationalization behavior of small firms. Oviatt and McDougall (1994) propose that possessing a global vision is paramount for directors of companies with global aspirations from inception. The notion of GM is crucial for successful internationalization (Torkkeli et al., 2018). ...
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly face the imperative of internationalization to remain competitive. Owner-managers of SMEs, who predominantly act as decision-makers, encounter multifaceted challenges in navigating cross-cultural complexities. These challenges can pose significant obstacles to successful expansion into international markets, and prior research has often overlooked the role of owner-managers in SME internationalization models. This study investigates how specific managerial competencies, namely cultural intelligence (CQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ), influence the degree of internationalization (DOI) of SMEs. Additionally, it examines the mediating role of owner-managers’ global mindset (GM) in this relationship. Based on upper echelons theory, which posits that top managers’ characteristics shape organizational outcomes, the study reveals how these individual-level competencies impact SME internationalization efforts. Data were collected from 399 SME owner-managers in Norway and Azerbaijan, utilizing structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships. Results indicate that higher levels of CQ and EQ among owner-managers positively influence the DOI of SMEs, with GM partially mediating these relationships. This study enhances the body of knowledge on CQ, EQ, and SME internationalization by introducing a comprehensive DOI measurement approach that considers both the proportion and geographic dispersion of foreign sales. Furthermore, this research addresses a significant gap by incorporating GM into the explanation of the SME internationalization process. Finally, it extends theoretical understanding by exploring the often-overlooked application of upper echelons theory to the context of SME internationalization, highlighting the crucial role of specific managerial competencies as drivers of internationalization.
Purpose
Drawing on the resource-based perspective, gender self-schema theory and the literature on international business, this study investigates whether female representation on boards affects firm internationalization in an East Asian context.
Design/methodology/approach
We test our hypotheses using a balanced panel dataset of 753 publicly listed firms in Taiwan, spanning 14 years (2005–2018).
Findings
The findings show female board representation has an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship with firm internationalization. Additionally, this relationship is moderated by firm age and growth opportunity.
Originality/value
This study highlights the drivers of firm internationalization, stresses the importance of female board representation for internationalization and shows the contingent nature of internationalization decision-making in general.
International Business (IB) scholars have made efforts to document IB scholarship history and deepened our understanding of the evolution of IB thought over time. Several evolutionary questions remain in debate, including the origin and independence of the field, as well as its current developmental phase. This study intends to explore these unresolved and sometimes ambiguous questions with qualitative and quantitative evidence from the Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS), the field's most prestigious journal, and the interpretation of this evidence by its leading scholars. We seek to explore a metaphor of the emergence of IB disciplinary knowledge from relevant disciplines being the formation of a new scholarship species, and the growth of IB scholarship being the thriving of the new species. This chapter examines whether the emergence and growth of IB scholarship follow a trajectory that can be explained by variation, competition, inheritance, etc., i.e., an evolutionary process of conceptual lineages. Leveraging the evolutionary approach, we argue that the field of IB is in its adolescence phase, becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and evolving in parallel with developments in the global environment.
Past research shows that firms with constrained access to debt are more likely to withdraw from exporting. We argue that firms’ debt maturity structure – that is their use of short‐term versus long‐term debt – also matters, because different debt maturities entail different risks (i.e. liquidity risk versus underinvestment risk). Using data from Belgian international new ventures (INVs), and controlling for self‐selection into exporting, we find that INVs relying primarily on either short‐term debt or long‐term debt are more likely to subsequently withdraw from exporting than INVs with a balanced debt maturity structure (i.e. comprising an optimal mixture of short‐ and long‐term debts). This U‐shaped relationship is weaker for INVs with more financial slack and stronger for those with higher growth opportunities. Overall, while past research emphasizes the impact of financial resource levels on export withdrawal, our study underscores the role of the structure of these resources. Our study contributes to the international entrepreneurship literature and resource mobilization literature in management.
Este artigo mostrará um resultado importante observado na sua confecção, no mínimo inesperado, levando-se em conta que os recursos governamentais foram escassos e exigem o máximo de esforços para a melhor eficiência alocativa, mostrará o aumento da participação relativa de produtos manufaturados e a queda dos produtos básicos e semimanufaturados na pauta das MPEs. Evidenciará também, a breve retomada de algumas iniciativas de apoio à internacionalização das MPEs, empreendidas principalmente por meio das ações da Apex-Brasil, Sebrae e Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio Exterior (MDIC), que parecem ter contribuído para os resultados aqui apresentados.
Purpose
To examine how internationalization influences the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using the knowledge-based view framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 224 SMEs across 22 countries were analysed using structural equation modelling. SMEs were categorized into internationalization pathways based on timing, scale and scope. The relationships among EO, internationalization and new product development (NPD) were assessed.
Findings
Both EO and internationalization positively affect NPD. However, internationalization does not generally strengthen the EO-NPD link. The impact varies by internationalization pathway: early regional internationalizers show the strongest EO-NPD relationship, while late broad-scope internationalizers and born globals exhibit weaker or non-significant links. This underscores the importance of timing, scale and scope in internationalization.
Originality/value
This study offers new insights into how different internationalization pathways influence the EO-innovation relationship in SMEs, emphasizing the roles of timing, scale and scope. Integrating the knowledge-based view highlights the need for SMEs to align internationalization strategies with entrepreneurial capabilities to enhance innovation outcomes.
El proceso de internacionalización es un elemento clave para la expansión y sostenibilidad de las pequeñas y medianas empresas con potencial exportador.
Este estudio ofrece una visión integral de la internacionalización, abordando sus fundamentos teóricos, su evolución histórica y su impacto en el desarrollo empresarial y regional.
El presente libro comienza con un análisis histórico del comercio exterior y una diferenciación conceptual entre internacionalización y exportación, con especial atención a la realidad de las pymes exportadoras españolas. Posteriormente, se examinan los factores que influyen en la decisión empresarial de expandirse a mercados extranjeros, las motivaciones que impulsan este proceso y la importancia de una actitud proactiva para afrontar los desafíos de la internacionalización. Uno de los aspectos centrales de la obra es la sostenibilidad exportadora, entendida como la capacidad de una empresa para mantener su presencia en los mercados internacionales a lo largo del tiempo. Se analiza la supervivencia exportadora y los elementos clave para consolidar una estrategia de internacionalización exitosa.
Además, el estudio profundiza en las barreras al comercio internacional, estableciendo una clasificación detallada entre barreras internas ─controlables por la empresa─ y externas ─derivadas del entorno internacional─. Se examinan los principales obstáculos que enfrentan las empresas en función de sus recursos, estrategias de marketing y las condiciones tanto del país exportador como del país de destino. Finalmente, la obra incorpora un estudio de caso que ilustra la aplicación práctica de estos conceptos, permitiendo comprender con mayor profundidad los desafíos y estrategias en el proceso de internacionalización. Este análisis de caso no solo refuerza la argumentación teórica, sino que también facilita su extrapolación a otros productos y sectores en distintos contextos geográficos.
A través de un enfoque riguroso y estructurado, este libro proporciona un marco analítico para comprender la internacionalización como un proceso clave en la expansión empresarial, ofreciendo herramientas para superar los retos asociados y aprovechar las oportunidades que brinda el comercio global.
China’s corporate venture capital (CVC) overseas investment began in the late 20th century and has expanded significantly over the years. By 2021, more than 265 Chinese institutions and companies had engaged in cross-border investments, contributing over USD 100 billion. These investments present a unique opportunity to examine the reverse technology spillover effect on China’s technological development. Using a Difference-in-Differences model and regression analysis, we investigate whether China’s CVC overseas investments drive technological progress. Our findings reveal three key insights: (1) these investments have a positive impact on China’s technological advancement, (2) the effect is stronger when the host country has a higher level of technology, and (3) larger investment amounts amplify the impact. This research not only highlights the transformative potential of cross-border CVC investments but also demonstrates how enterprises can leverage reverse innovation spillovers to accelerate China’s technological progress. Additionally, we introduce a novel approach to studying this phenomenon, contributing to the existing scholarship on global innovation dynamics.
Entrepreneurial ventures benefit from breaking out of structural localism to access external supports as they scale their businesses. However, there is limited theory development on how internationally scaling businesses access external supports. By adopting an entrepreneurial network perspective to study the support system for internationally scaling businesses located in Ireland, we identify an international support web accessed through network mechanisms that break out of structural localism. This study contributes to international entrepreneurship by elaborating on network mechanisms for scaling businesses, in contrast with early and rapidly internationalizing ventures and mature multinational enterprises. It also contributes to international connectivity research by detailing micro-processes for cross-border resource flows.
Purpose
This research aims to better understand the phenomena of international entrepreneurship and cross-border expansion of new ventures. Various factors, including technological advances, environmental standards and social conditions, influence it. This paper investigates the complex dynamics of such interconnected factors shaping their internationalization strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the multifaceted nature of the internationalization of entrepreneurial ventures, we followed a configurational approach fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) in our study, using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey report 2022–2023.
Findings
The study unveils a complex interplay between the different factors wherein high environmental and social attentions, along with balanced digital technology adoption, give the best international outcomes for new ventures. Our results show that positive internationalization results with higher organizational legitimacy but moderate use of digital technology. This nuanced perspective contests conventional wisdom, demonstrating the need for a thoughtful approach integrating technological expertise with sustainability imperatives.
Practical implications
This study establishes a nuanced understanding of how new ventures should approach technological investments and promote environmental and social concerns. This research can help owners/managers to commit sufficient investment in digital resources and ESG-related projects.
Originality/value
For the first time, this study focuses on the intersection of organizational legitimacy and tangible resources for creating sustainable competitive advantages in new venture internationalization efforts. The use of configurational analysis is entirely new in this terrain, and the results have huge implications for both managers and academicians.
This paper explores the multifaceted challenges startup firms face when expanding into international markets. While existing literature has extensively examined the internationalization of entrepreneurial firms, a gap remains in understanding the specific considerations that shape startups' market expansion strategies. This study delves into the intricate interplay of marketing, managerial decision-making, and investment dynamics that tech startups must navigate. By building upon existing research, it incorporates contemporary developments in investment trends and market expansion concepts. The paper presents a comprehensive framework that integrates management objectives with internal capabilities and external market conditions across the domains of marketing, management, and investment.
O objetivo deste estudo é descrever como o tema Empreendedorismo Internacional tem sido abordado nas disciplinas dos cursos superiores de administração no Brasil. Para tanto, foi realizando levantamento das ementas das disciplinas dos cursos de Administração das universidades federais brasileiras. Os dados foram investigados por meio de análise lexical e análise de conteúdo. Resultados indicam que somente 4 das 57 universidades federais brasileiras com cursos de Administração no Brasil (7%) tem a disciplina Empreendedorismo Internacional de forma direta. Além disso, emergiu da análise hierárquica descendente e da análise de conteúdo que, maioritariamente, os conteúdos dos cursos se relacionam com os aspectos burocráticos e regulamentários da exportação e importação. Sugere-se uma maior aderência ao tema Empreendedorismo Internacional tanto nos cursos superiores de administração, como na pós-graduação para contribuir com seu avanço no país. Além disso, a inclusão de temáticas como inovação, gestão e estratégia para um empreendimento internacional alcançar o mercado internacional; o ambiente internacional que a empresa enfrentará nesse processo; bem como aspectos relacionados diretamente com o empreendedor que potencializem suas capacidades de gestão e de assimilar o cenário global.
This study explores the dynamic interplay between internationalisation and innovation in SMEs, focusing on how different internationalisation pathways affect innovation. Using a dataset of Canadian SMEs, we employ cluster analysis to categorise firms based on their internationalisation pathways—defined by their scale, scope, timing, and pace—and regression analysis to examine the impact on innovation performance. Our findings show that scale-focused and scope-focused internationalisation significantly enhances innovation compared to domestic-only firms. By identifying five distinct pathways, this study provides a more nuanced understanding of how internationalisation drives SME innovation. It highlights the multifaceted nature of internationalisation’s role in fostering innovation by moving beyond simple measures or types of internationalisation and using multiple measures of innovation. These insights have valuable implications for SME owners, managers, and policymakers aiming to support SME growth through global expansion.
Internationalization has many different interpretations of what it means and what phenomena it refers from participation to adaption, to expansion and exporting. Nonetheless questions remain on how SMEs particularly from smaller countries which limited resources pursue their internationalization strategies, in comparison to the abundance of resources and advantages of multinational companies.
Las alianzas son elementos esenciales de la competitividad para que las empresas mantengan una presencia fuerte y efectiva en el mercado globalizado. Sin duda forman parte de una estrategia don- de debe compartirse el control en mayor o menor medida y debe de desarrollarse un ambiente de confianza y respecto por ambas par- tes, por lo que en esta investigación se abordan los diferentes tipos de alianzas, desde las alianzas estratégicas como las joint ventures y las international joint ventures hasta la colaboración a través de cadenas híbridas de valor y crowdsourcing, describiendo el tipo de alianza de acuerdo a su fuerza, propósito y evolución para lograr una alianza exitosa.
Purpose
This paper aims to suggest that foreign investment spurs entrepreneurial activity (i.e. new business formation) through various crowding-in mechanisms. Previous research also highlights the importance of production structures in developing a country’s absorptive capacity. Thus, the authors examined the extent to which sophisticated production structures can promote the crowding-in (positive) effects of foreign investment on new business formation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses an annual-level unbalanced panel dataset of 94 countries from 2006 to 2020. The authors use system Generalized Method of Moments estimator, which can control for endogeneity and simultaneity issues. Additionally, they split their sample data set to examine the effects on coastal and landlocked countries (which are economically at a disadvantage).
Findings
Using the economic complexity and economic diversification index as their measure of production structure, the authors find evidence that foreign investment is associated with greater entrepreneurial activities, and this effect is greater when production structures are more sophisticated. However, this complementary effect is not observed in the subsample of landlocked economies, which face impediments to global trade and other structural challenges.
Research limitations/implications
The results imply that policymakers can promote new business formation by developing a country’s production structure in tandem with foreign investment in knowledge intensive sectors.
Originality/value
The authors empirically establish that production structures can promote the crowding-in effects of foreign direct investment on entrepreneurial activities using two measures of production structures, namely, economic complexity and economic diversification.
Internationalization patterns of SMEs represent a largely debated argument in international business. The discovery of early internationalizing companies whose behavior contrasts with those that gradually internationalize by increasing their scope and commitment has stimulated academic curiosity on the various patterns companies can stick to over time. Although most of the literature on EIFs has focused on their early international development, a stream of research has been devoted to understanding whether all EIFs behave in the same way or if there are different EIFs. Following this purpose, studies have aimed to understand the internationalization path of EIFs and other kinds of internationalizing companies and the entry mode strategies adopted to expand abroad. Discussion and future research avenues are provided in the end.
Studies have stressed the need to study processes and dynamics that allow ventures to acquire or develop strategic resources and capabilities that support early internationalization, growth, survival, and performance. This chapter explores the processes and dynamics related to core resources, capabilities, decisions, and strategies relevant to understanding the international behavior of early internationalizing firms. The chapter illustrates and summarizes the evidence on the financing sources, organizational culture, knowledge and learning processes, international opportunities, decision-making processes, networks, marketing, innovation, and digitalization among studies on EIFs. Future avenues of research are discussed in the final part.
Early internationalization represents today a broad and discussed phenomenon. The first chapter of this book illustrates the origins and theoretical background of the literature on early internationalizing firms (EIFs). Specifically, this chapter first illustrates seminal articles published on born globals and international new ventures, entering the details of the initial evidence collected by the most quoted articles published between the late 1980s and the early 2000s. Then, the second section of this chapter explores the link with the Uppsala Stage internationalization models. The third section describes the positioning and boundaries of early internationalization while also considering the overlaps and the boundaries with the broader research field of international entrepreneurship. The last section explains the perspective and the aim of the book.
Early internationalizing firms (EIFs) represent a vast and various group of companies that share the main feature of beginning international activities soon after their foundation. The literature on early internationalization has progressed so fast that several theoretical and operational definitions emerged and have spread, leading to a proliferation of labels and categories that are only sometimes adopted coherently. Born globals, international new ventures, and early internationalizing firms are just the most renowned, but this aspect undermines the foundations of this research domain, making comparisons arduous and slowing down the progress of the field. This chapter critically appraises the argument and proposes suggestions for future research.
This article investigates the influence of networking on innovation and internationalisation within U.K.-based, female-led small and medium-sized tech enterprises. It utilises data from the 2021 Longitudinal Small Business Survey to evaluate a model that incorporates networking, three forms of innovation (product, process, and market), and international performance across 156 technology start-ups founded by women. The study employs orchestration theory to explore how female entrepreneurs strategically manage resources like networking to foster innovation and promote international growth. Findings suggest that while networking significantly boosts product innovation, it does not have a direct effect on process or market innovation. Nonetheless, networking indirectly strengthens the impact of process and market innovations on internationalisation. This highlights that women entrepreneurs initially use networks to enhance product innovation, then leverage them to convert process and organisational innovations into international expansion. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of the intersection between gender and international entrepreneurship from an orchestration perspective and provides practical insights for female entrepreneurs on optimising networks to drive innovation and facilitate global scaling.
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