The internationalization process of Italian fashion fi rms: the governance role of the founding team

Ernesto Tavoletti

No 29-2010, Working Papers from Macerata University, Department of Studies on Economic Development (DiSSE)

Abstract: This study aims at exploring the process of internationalization in the Italian fashion firms, focusing on strategy-structure fit and the governance role of the founding team in providing such a fit. It does so with a single case study of a leading fashion firm. It suggests that classic deterministic theories about strategy-structure fit in growing firms offer poor guide. The strategy is entirely \emergent" and inspired by the specific talents of the founding team. Evidence confirms the causal link between strategy and structure: company structure is network based and evolves according to the emerging strategy. However, the development route does not follow any deterministic model: Uppsala's model of incremental and cognitive internationalisation, especially in its revisited and network based form, appears to be the more appropriate reference for the case, characterised by creative dynamics that are constantly evolving, following the vision and strategy that are constantly provided by the founding team.

Keywords: network; fashion industry; strategy; founding team; internationalisation; structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F23 L20 L21 M10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-07, Revised 2010-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-cse, nep-net and nep-sbm
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