Drivers of international development for born global companies founded by Italian entrepreneurs

Giusy Cannone (), Gaia Costantino (), Alessia Pisoni () and Alberto Onetti ()
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Giusy Cannone: Department of Industrial Engineering – Polytechnic University of Turin
Gaia Costantino: Department of Industrial Engineering – Polytechnic University of Turin
Alessia Pisoni: Department of Economics, University of Insubria, Italy
Alberto Onetti: Department of Economics, University of Insubria, Italy

Economics and Quantitative Methods from Department of Economics, University of Insubria

Abstract: The rise of born global companies, i.e. companies that internationalize their activities from inception or shortly thereafter led researchers to explore the various aspects related to early internationalization. Nevertheless, authors argue that further evidence and analysis on these firms is required. Based on a multiple case study research the paper aims at providing further evidence on this phenomenon. An in-depth qualitative analysis has been performed based on eight startups founded by Italian entrepreneurs that showed an early internationalization towards the US and the Silicon Valley in particular. They have been interviewed with the goal of validating the major drivers of internationalization the literature attributes to born global companies. The cross case study analysis carried out highlights that not all the drivers seem to be equally relevant. The major findings of the study are twofold. First, the importance of professional networks built by entrpreneurs before establishing the company. Secondly, how the entrepreneur’s prior experience abroad (either as entrepreneur or as employee or for studying reasons) triggers and orients the internationalization path of a company

Keywords: born global; early internationalization; innovation; entrepreneurship; startup (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2012-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ent
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