International entrepreneurship, born globals and the theory of effectuation

• Purpose– The purpose of this study is to enhance the understanding of a born global firm’s earlyinternationalization process and the entrepreneur’s decisions regarding internationalization by usingeffectuation theory.Design/methodology/approach– An explorative case study is used to explore whethereffectuation theory is a fruitful alternative perspective compared with the dominant paradigm(causation), which is primarily used in earlier studies on born globals.Findings– The study shows how a born global company could enter many markets in a short time,by co-operating with local network partners. The founders’ prior knowledge and networks wereimportant to understand the rapid international expansion. Effectuation theory focuses on theentrepreneurs’ ability to create opportunities together with network partners and is a useful tool tounderstand the development in the born global firm.Research limitations/implications– The study shows that effectuation theory holds promise fordeveloping the international entrepreneurship area. Future research is recommended to focus not onlyon the entrepreneur’s competencies, but also on the entrepreneur’s behavior, including during the timebefore they started the firm.Practical implications– Decision-makers in the early development of born global firms arerecommended to use his/her own and his/her company’s resources and network. Also advantageshould be taken of opportunities when they are recognized or created, instead of focusing ontraditional planning activities.Originality/value– There are few studies that have used effectuation theory as a basis forunderstanding the early development of a born global firm. 

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Business studies

Företagsekonomi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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