The evolving international entrepreneurship orientations and international entrepreneurship capital in the rapidly changing and digitizing international environments

Journal of International Entrepreneurship - The relationship between entrepreneurial orientations and internationalization has been examined extensively, but the recent developments in the rapidly...     

Theoretical milestones in international business: The journey to international entrepreneurship theory

For many decades global business was considered the preserve of large multinationals and traditional international business theory was developed to explain the behaviour of these firms. However, increasingly there is a realization that the small entrepreneurial firm has an important role to play in international business especially given that there are strong globalization pressures that both pull and push the small firm into international markets to ensure its very survival. On the questions of how and why international business takes place, several theoretical approaches have been developed that appear to run parallel to each other. However, this paper posits that the point of convergence is international entrepreneurship.     

Home-based entrepreneurship and multiple roles—an inter-role conflict

Home-based entrepreneurship has been identified as an alternative source of employment and income for residents of non-metropolitan communities. Although economic and social advantages of home-based work have been identified, negative factors associated with home-based entrepreneurship have also been reported Home-based entrepreneurs may experience inter-role conflict as a result of an overlapping of roles (i.e. work/family) within the environs of the home. Findings from interviews with home-based entrepreneurs are discussed in relation to the multiplicity of roles of the home-based entrepreneur. Further, implications are addressed concerning the conflicts arising from multiple role demand as a home-based entrepreneur.     

The motivation of international entrepreneurship: The case of Chinese transnational entrepreneurs

The ventures of transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) are a new business phenomenon, representing a fluid context in which established arrangements may be expected to change. In terms of one particular relationship, motivation has been found to be a key construct in international entrepreneurship (IE) research, with two established features of motivation comprising entrepreneurial vision and its implementation. At the same time, nationality has been found to be a consistent influence on entrepreneurial orientation through the impact of culture. Employing qualitative case study methods, this paper investigates these relationships in the new context of the internationalization of Chinese TEs socially embedded in their host and home countries. Subtle changes in established patterns of IE motivation are detected, and Chinese cultural influence may also be weakening to meet the environment of host countries.     

Beyond ideal-type depictions of entrepreneurship: some lessons from the service sector in England

To evaluate critically the ideal-type depiction of entrepreneurs as wholesome super heroes that permeates the entrepreneurship literature, this paper analyses whether entrepreneurs in the service sector are involved in off-the-books transactions. Reporting data from interviews conducted in England with 91 early-stage entrepreneurs (defined here as individuals starting-up an enterprise in the past 3 years) and 81 more established self-employed in the service sector, the finding is that 77 and 74%, respectively engaged in off-the-books transactions. The outcome is a call to move beyond ideal-type representations of entrepreneurs and towards a fuller comprehension of the lived practices of entrepreneurship.     

The role of family ownership in international entrepreneurship: exploring nonlinear effects

Empirical research on international entrepreneurship is growing, but results on the role of family ownership in this phenomenon are inconsistent. We believe these inconsistencies owe to prior researchers having not yet investigated nonlinear relationships. Drawing on opposing perspectives of stewardship and stagnation, we explore potential benefits and drawbacks of family ownership for international entrepreneurship and explore nonlinear relationships among these two variables. Using a sample of 1,035 US family businesses and applying ordinal regression analysis, we find an inverted U-shaped relationship between family ownership and international entrepreneurship: International entrepreneurship is maximized when family ownership stands at moderate levels. We discuss the implications of our findings for theory and practice and indicate avenues for future research.     

Hidden ties in international new venturing: The case of portfolio entrepreneurship

A hitherto neglected phenomenon in international new venturing is portfolio entrepreneurship, which occurs when entrepreneurs found, own, manage and control more than one business at a time, with ownership of the new venture being distinct from that of the existing business ventures. This study introduces the phenomenon of portfolio entrepreneurship in international new venturing through a longitudinal study of a cluster of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tasmania, Australia, where 6 of 11 firms in the cluster were international new ventures (INVs). The pattern of international portfolio entrepreneurship pursued by the Tasmanian entrepreneurs and coupling between firms is described. Key findings include the ability of portfolio entrepreneurs to leverage high-discretion slack resources, positive legitimacy spillovers, and learning effects and experimentation across loosely coupled INVs in the portfolio. The findings also identify dysfunctional elements of portfolio entrepreneurship, and cast doubt over the conventional use of ‘the firm’ as the focal unit of analysis in INV studies. A particular contribution of this study is to remind us of the richness and pluralism inherent in international new venturing.     

Social distance between residents and international tourists—Implications for international business

This paper uses the social distance concept and employs a revised version of Bogardus’ [Bogardus, E. S. (1933b). Social problems and social processes: Selected papers from the proceedings of the American sociological society. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press] social-distance scale, to explore cognitive structures of Austrian residents towards Japanese and German tourists. The removal of conflicts between residents and international tourists is vital to improve the economic outcomes of the exchange of individuals from various cultural backgrounds. This can help the tourism sector, which is significant factor in the service industry. Data from a quota-sample of 449 respondents, commenting on everyday life interactions with German and Japanese tourists is used. Similarity analysis methodology is applied to ‘link’ statements and interpret differences in views towards tourist encounters. Austrian residents view tourist groups similar in terms of brief interactions (e.g. when visiting museums or walking in gardens). However, long-term relationships (e.g. kindergarten and schools vs. personal invitation to homes) manifest themselves differently. The cognitive structures of interaction we identify can be seen as conflict-coping strategies. For residents, social distance serves as a means to avoid malfunctioning relationships. In that respect, Austrians are more reluctant to engage in personal interactions with Japanese tourists than with German tourists. The paper concludes with managerial recommendations for international business and tourism managers that are designed to improve social and economic performance of interaction.     

The emergence, advance and future of international entrepreneurship research — An introduction to the special forum

Since its genesis over twenty years ago, research in International Entrepreneurship has emerged as a field of study, and moved through the process of differentiation, mobilization and legitimacy building. Generally referred to as IE, research in this area is conducted by scholars worldwide and supported by various community structures, conferences and journals. In recognition of IE, this Special Forum was initiated to help clarify its parameters and history of development, the areas of research pertinent to it and critically, directions for future research.     

Extending William Baumol’s theory on entrepreneurship and institutions: lessons from post-Second World War Greece

Abstract

This article examines William Baumol’s theory about the interaction between taxation and entrepreneurship and proposes an extension to it. The analysis shows that the traditional form of Baumol’s model, focusing mainly on the level of taxes, cannot be used in order to explain what happened in the Greek case. Utilising historical evidence from the mid 1950s to the late 1980s, this article confirms that problematic tax rules create difficulties for entrepreneurship and can lead to unproductive forms of it, as Baumol suggests. However, the focus here is on aspects of the system of taxation that Baumol’s model, examining solely tax rates and levels of taxation, neglected. It is shown that, as far as Greek entrepreneurship is concerned, the adverse effects of the system of taxation came not from the level of taxes, but mostly from a series of issues that increased its perceived unfairness and illegitimacy. Some of such issues were the complexity and frequent change of legislation, the insufficient organisation of the tax bureaus as well as the lack of adequate training and arbitrariness of the members of tax services. The evidence presented here suggests that Baumol’s model can be enriched by taking into consideration these aspects of taxation too.     

Teaching how to fish: lessons from information and communication technologies for international development

Abstract

Many people believe that the widespread dissemination of digital technologies automatically causes positive outcomes in political democratisation and socio-economic development. In this article, this claim is briefly examined for the supposed ‘Facebook Revolutions’ of the Arab Spring, as well as for the economic benefits of the mobile phone. Close scrutiny reveals, in fact, that technology’s impact is not necessarily positive. Instead, technology only amplifies underlying human intent and capacity; hence, positive outcomes with technology are wholly dependent on competent, well-intentioned stakeholders. The article concludes with the consequences and recommendations for those interested in applying their technical or entrepreneurial skills to subsistence communities.     

The Price-Quality Relationship—Revisited

Using price data collected in Indianapolis and Lafayette, Indiana, rank order correlations between price and quality were computed. These were compared to correlations based on price data obtained from the publications of consumer product testing organizations. It was found that price-quality correlations based on the price data furnished by consumer product testing organizations may not reflect price-quality correlations for specific markets. A second finding of the study suggests the existence of variability across store types with respect to price-quality correlations.     

China—The new paradox

Ian Rae and Morgan Witzel. 2004. Singular and Different: Business in China, Past, Present and Future. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 173 pages. ISBN: 1‐4039‐1722‐1. Sheila Oakley. 2002. Labor Relations in China's Socialist Market Economy. Westport, CT: Quorum Books. 231 pages. ISBN: 1‐56720‐589‐5. Ilan Alon (Ed.). 2003. Chinese Culture, Organizational Behavior, and International Business Management. Westport, CT: Praeger. 270 pages. ISBN: 1‐56720‐456‐1.     

More power for international entrepreneurs: the effect of digital readiness of economies on channeling national R&D resources to entrepreneurship

Journal of International Entrepreneurship - In the economic paradigm of the twenty-first century, the increasing importance of innovation for SMEs and their global expansion motivates research on...