A multidimensional perspective of SME internationalization speed: The influence of entrepreneurial characteristics

Linda Hsieh (First Author), Terence Tsai (Participant Author), Yunlu Zhang (Participant Author), John Child (Participant Author), Rose Narooz (Participant Author), Said Elbanna (Participant Author), Joanna Karmowska (Participant Author), Pushyarag Puthusserry (Participant Author), Svetla Marinova (Participant Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal

55 Citations (Web of Science)

Abstract

This paper contributes to a multidimensional perspective on the speed of SME internationalization. It examines the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics – experience, rationales and innovation strategies – on multiple dimensions of internationalization speed. Findings from a sample of 180 SMEs show that earliness, speed of deepening, and speed of geographic diversification can be viewed as three different strategic alternatives and that each dimension is predicted by a different set of entrepreneurial antecedents. Earliness of internationalization is associated with entrepreneurs’ international business experience and their perception of opportunities abroad as well as preference for an innovation strategy characterized by ambidextrous innovation. Speed of deepening is related to entrepreneurs’ international business experience, their orientation towards differentiation vis-à-vis competitors, and commitment to innovation and a strategy focusing on exploration. These results indicate the importance of distinguishing between different forms of innovation. Speed of geographic diversification is predicted only by entrepreneurs’ orientation towards differentiation vis-à-vis competitors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)268-283
JournalInternational Business Review
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Corresponding author email

hh24@soas.ac.uk

Project name

British Academy/Leverhulme Trust

Project sponsor

其他

Project No.

SG090831;;SG120531

Keywords

  • Earliness
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Internationalization
  • SMEs
  • Speed of deepening
  • Speed of geographic diversification

Indexed by

  • ABDC-A
  • Scopus
  • SSCI

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