Towards an Integrative Model of Small Firm Internationalisation |
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Authors: | Jim Bell Rod McNaughton Stephen Young Dave Crick |
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Institution: | (1) University of Ulster, Northern Ireland;(2) University of Waterloo, Canada;(3) University of Strathclyde, Scotland;(4) University of Central, England |
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Abstract: | Firm internationalisation has long been regarded as an incremental process, wherein firms gravitate towards psychologically close markets and increase commitment to international markets in a gradual, step-wise, manner through a series of evolutionary stages . However, much of the recent literature provides clear evidence of rapid and dedicated internationalisation by born global firms . Typically, these are smaller entrepreneurial firms that internationalise from inception, or start to shortly thereafter. Their main source of competitive advantage is often related to a more sophisticated knowledge base. In addition, the authors have found evidence of firms supporting this born global pattern of behaviour but also evidence of firms that suddenly internationalise after a long period of focusing on the domestic market. These born-again globals appear to be influenced by critical events that provide them with additional human or financial resources, such as changes in ownership/management, being taken over by another company with international networks, or themselves acquiring such a firm. Based upon the extant literature and our own research, we propose an integrative model that recognises the existence of different internationalisation pathways . We then explore differences in behaviour due to the firm's internationalisation trajectory and discuss the strategic and public policy implications. |
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Keywords: | integrative model small firm internationalisation |
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