Risk in International Business

How and why born global firms differ in their speed of internationalisation – a multiple case study approach, 2016

This article analyses the research problem of how and why born global firms (BGF) differ in their speed of internationalisation. It is based on the conceptual framework of the BGF theory and the Uppsala internationalisation process model. The research questions will be answered using a multiple case study research design with qualitative, in-depth, face-to-face, semi structured interviews of twenty subject matter experts (SME). The research results show that factors like the skills of the entrepreneur and the management team, their business networks, the business model of the BGF, the market entry mode, the successful implementation of a structured market development process, the uniqueness of the technology and the product portfolio, the availability of market opportunities, and the size of their home market influence the speed of internationalisation.

Early internationalisation of high-tech firms: past accomplishments and future directions, 2015

This article provides an evaluative overview of international management literature, in which the current research accomplishments of early and fast internationalisation of high-tech start-up firms from small and open economies using the example of Switzerland are analysed. The author puts a special emphasis on how born-global firms from small and open economies might use traditional internationalisation theories like the Uppsala internationalisation process model to acquire new clients in new foreign markets early and fast after their incorporation. The article discusses convergent and divergent findings in terms of conceptual and empirical issues and set forth areas for future qualitative and quantitative research.

Journal of international business …, 2009

The Uppsala internationalization process model is revisited in the light of changes in business practices and theoretical advances that have been made since 1977. Now the business environment is viewed as a web of relationships, a network, rather than as a neoclassical market with many independent suppliers and customers. Outsidership, in relation to the relevant network, more than psychic distance, is the root of uncertainty. The change mechanisms in the revised model are essentially the same as those in the original version, although we add trust-building and knowledge creation, the latter to recognize the fact that new knowledge is developed in relationships.

Journal of International Business Studies, 2005

The article by Oviatt and McDougall threw the spotlight on international entrepreneurs, on international new ventures, and on their importance in the globalising world economy. Recognising the rich theoretical implications of this phenomenon, they mounted a challenge to received internationalisation process theories and established a new and exciting research theme, that of international entrepreneurship. This article reviews the impact of their contribution and discusses new research themes raised by their challenge to the process theories of internationalisation.

Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 2015

2012

Abstract Using a behavioral process approach within the field of international business theory, this study adopts a resource based lens to examine an area exhibiting exceptional growth, the internationalisation of professional service firms (PSFs). An in-depth qualitative study of the internationalisation process of five architectural firms expanding to multiple international markets was conducted.

This study operationalized the network model of internationalisation to test the association between experiential knowledge, degree of internationalisation and network degree of internationalisation. Using Eriksson et al.'s three knowledge constructs (1997), the ANOVA results confirm the predicted sliding scale of experiential knowledge levels for International among Others firms. The results also confirm the higher foreign business knowledge levels of the Late Starter relative to the Lonely International due to the advantage of residing in a highly internationalised network.

This study examines the internationalisation of high-tech start-up firms (HSFs) from small and open economies (SMOPECs). It explores how HSFs may differ in their speed of internationalisation relying on information collected via interviews with the CEOs or founders of 32 HSFs that operate internationally. It uses a comparative cross-national multiple-case study research design to answer the research questions. The findings provide the basis for developing propositions for further comparative analyses of the early and fast internationalisation of HSFs based in emerging and developed markets. The study contributes to the literature on networks, internationalisation and international entrepreneurship.

This paper provides insights and evidence related to the process and intensity of internationalization of firms in the Information Technology (IT) sector, which is the driving force of high economic growth in the Indian sub-continent during the last two decades. Research objectives were set as (i) to examine the existence of born global firms in the IT sector, (ii) to identify the process of internationalization adopted by firms in the IT industry, (iii) to measure the intensity of internationalization of IT firms. The paper is based on data collected from annual financial reports of firms listed in the CNX IT Index of National Stock Exchange of India. Two clusters were extracted using hierarchical clustering method followed by kmeans clustering to analyze the characteristics of the variables. We find that the firms in both clusters are true global firms with 66 and 85% of their income from foreign markets with a very high level of international intensity. Though the findings provide some evidence for the gradual internationalization of Indian IT firms; the empirical results indicate that firm age has no impact on internationalization. The results from our study also show that firms, especially in certain industries such as IT, do have access to information that reduces the risk aversion. ß

Significance of the speed of internationalisation for born global firms - a multiple case study approach, 2016

This article analyses the significance of the speed of internationalisation for born global firms (BGFs). In this multiple case study, BGFs are defined as high-tech start-up firms (HSFs) from a small and open economy (SMOPEC) like Switzerland. The theoretical framework consists of the Uppsala internationalisation process model and BGF theory. A sample of 20 subject matter experts (SME) is interviewed. The results of this study show that the significance of the speed of internationalisation of HSFs is considered essential for the survival of HSFs from SMOPECs. Consequently, all SMEs included early and fast internationalisation in their business plans and built their business models accordingly. Biographical notes: Michael Neubert is a faculty member, teaching International Management, of ISM International School in Paris and a lecturer at FH Vorarlberg and Universidad Paraguayo Alemana. He is the CEO of the consulting firm C2NM LLC and an investor in high-tech start-up firms.