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

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 (Oviatt and McDougall, 1997). 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 companyborn global, early internationalization, innovation, entrepreneurship, startup

Analysis of the growth of the e-learning industry through sustainable business model archetypes: A case study.

[Abstract]: Information and communication technologies applied to education through e-learning innovative solutions emerge as a relevant driver of change in the publishing industry, involving not only the supply of new educational resources, but also a reduction of paper consumption used in the traditional book edition. The dual goal of this paper is, firstly, to identify sustainable business model archetypes that illustrate the behavior and potential growth of firms in the e-learning industry and, secondly, to provide evidence of the existence of these archetypes through the study of strategic actions and managerial perceptions in a case study of rapid internationalization in this industry. The analysis follows a two-stage method. First, the main behaviors of e-learning firms are identified and grouped in sustainable business archetypes and the research proposals defined. Then these proposals are applied to a case study of the e-learning industry. This analysis furnishes evidence to conclude that the alliance of software firms with publishers becomes a driver that allows e-learning firms to overcome some of the limits of their growth model and maintain sustainable business models

Interactive transfer guide: sharing knowledge from the ESRALE project

The Interactive Transfer Guide (ITG) is an expert resource that summarises and points users to where they can find the full details of the distinctive knowledge developed as part of the ESRALE project, including the key outputs and lessons learned. It is designed to be used by a range of parties interested in developing and innovating the professional provision of adult education across Europe

NETEX and the pinnacle of E-LEARNING: in search of the American dream

It is a decisional business case study. The decision is about the process of internationalization of NETEX, an organization that develops e-learning solutions.The case shows the steps taken by the team led by Carlos Ezquerro, general director of NETEX, from the creation of the company in 1997 until the summer of 2014. NETEX's growth model is based on internal growth, at the pace of other investors and financial support, which was limited by the economic crisis of 2008.The case is described from the point of view of Carlos Ezquerro, founder and director of NETEX, along with some other comments from Ricardo Álvarez, director of internationalization of the firm.The learning objective for the students is to analyse the decisions to be taken by considering the history of a company that is very clear about its objectives and its positioning strategy, but that has several alternatives in its internationalization model

Social media as a data gathering tool for international business qualitative research: opportunities and challenges

Lusophone African (LA) multinational enterprises (MNEs) are becoming a significant pan-African and global economic force regarding their international presence and influence. However, given the extreme poverty and lack of development in their home markets, many LA enterprises seeking to internationalize lack resources and legitimacy in international markets. Compared to higher income emerging markets, Lusophone enterprises in Africa face more significant challenges in their internationalization efforts. Concomitantly, conducting significant international business (IB) research in these markets to understand these MNEs internationalization strategies can be a very daunting task. The fast-growing rise of social media on the Internet, however, provides an opportunity for IB researchers to examine new phenomena in these markets in innovative ways. Unfortunately, for various reasons, qualitative researchers in IB have not fully embraced this opportunity. This article studies the use of social media in qualitative research in the field of IB. It offers an illustrative case based on qualitative research on internationalization modes of LAMNEs conducted by the authors in Angola and Mozambique using social media to identify and qualify the population sample, as well as interact with subjects and collect data. It discusses some of the challenges of using social media in those regions of Africa and suggests how scholars can design their studies to capitalize on social media and corresponding data as a tool for qualitative research. This article underscores the potential opportunities and challenges inherent in the use of social media in IB-oriented qualitative research, providing recommendations on how qualitative IB researchers can design their studies to capitalize on data generated by social media.https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2019.1634406https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2019.1634406https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2019.1634406https://doi.org/10.1080/15475778.2019.1634406Accepted manuscriptPublished versio

Virtual Internationalization in Higher Education

Digital media and information and communication technology (ICT) are being used more and more in international contexts at universities. In her English-language dissertation, the author examines how this technological potential can be used strategically to expand internationalization. The data basis of the thesis is a content analysis of contributions to international conferences on university internationalization, online and distance learning, university management and research, and ICT and internationalization. The selected abstracts were analyzed based on the model of "Comprehensive Internationalization" (CI). From the results, the author outlines a model for Virtual Internationalization (VI) that considers curricula, international cooperation, and distance learning as well as the roles of university strategy, administration, management, and teaching staff. The highly topical dissertation closes a gap in university research and offers universities valuable starting points in research and practice of internationalization.Digitale Medien und Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie (IKT) werden mehr und mehr in internationalen Kontexten an Hochschulen eingesetzt. Wie dieses technologische Potenzial strategisch für den Ausbau von Internationalisierung eingesetzt werden kann, untersucht die Autorin in ihrer englischsprachigen Dissertation. Die Datenbasis der Arbeit bildet eine Inhaltsanalyse von Beiträgen zu internationalen Konferenzen zur Hochschul-Internationalisierung, zu Online- und Fernstudium, Hochschulmanagement und -forschung sowie zu den Themen IKT und Internationalisierung. Die ausgewählten Abstracts wurden auf Grundlage des Modells der "Comprehensive Internationalization" (CI) analysiert. Aus den Ergebnissen skizziert die Autorin ein Modell für Virtuelle Internationalisierung (VI), das Curricula, internationale Kooperationen und den Bereich Fernstudium ebenso berücksichtigt wie die Rollen von Hochschulstrategie, Administration, Management und Lehrpersonal. Die hochaktuelle Dissertation schließt eine Lücke in der Hochschulforschung und bietet Hochschulen wertvolle Ansatzpunkte in Forschung und Praxis der Internationalisierung

From Quantity to Quality: Challenges for Investment Promotion Agencies

Most investment promotion agencies worldwide are now placing a higher emphasis on attracting high "quality" FDI, including R&D centers and headquarter functions as well as knowledgeintensive industries such as information and communication technologies, biotechnology or nanotechnology. We argue that this requires a different approach than policies focused on the "quantity" of FDI inflows, leading to changes in the policy mix and in the approach to performance measurement. Targeting quality entails a shift from a mindset that prioritizes attraction of greenfield investments towards one where the focus is on subsidiary development. Another implication is that the interplay between FDI policies and innovation policies becomes more relevant and needs to be further nurtured. We focus on the management challenges that investment promotion agencies face in this transition from quantity to quality, drawing attention to the consequences for their human capital, structural capital and relational capital strategies.Aftercare, FDI, intellectual capital, investment promotion, R&D, subsidiary development

Learning Networks Matter: Challenges to Developing Learning-Based Competence in Mango Production and Post-Harvest in Andhra Pradesh, India

This discussion paper explores aspects of innovation systems ideas in the analysis of mango production and export by smallscale farmers in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The paper shows how despite favourable agro-ecological conditions and being the largest international mango producer, India still struggles to build momentum in rapidly emerging export markets. An analysis of the sector's recent history combined with an empirical account of inter-sectoral and intra-sectoral linkage patterns among stakeholder groups appears to provide the basis for remedial policy suggestions. Most of these relate to aspects of integrated technology development and innovation management.innovation, innovation systems, mango, high-value, national competence, learning networks, South Asia, India

The impact of digitalization on the internationalization capabilities of manufacturing firms

The purpose of this thesis was to explore the impact of digitalization on the internationalisation capabilities of manufacturing firms. In exploring these concepts, the thesis examined the factors that influence manufacturing companies to embrace innovative technologies as they venture into foreign markets and the internationalization process. The case study applied in this project is Haier Group, one of the Chinese companies with a high level of success in applying innovative technologies and the internationalization process. Haier's success story formed a critical basis for examining how manufacturing firms can internationalize by implementing innovative technologies into a multinational corporation that enjoys a significant market share in the global market. The thesis relied on secondary data obtained from online databases and published documents such as Google Scholar, company websites, and e-libraries. The major search terms applied were digitalization, internalization, manufacturing firms, and foreign market entry strategies. A case study design was applied, and the company was chosen using the purposive sampling technique. The case study provided a better understanding of the practical application of innovation and adaptations that a manufacturing company makes to improve its internationalization success. The findings suggested that digitalization is critical for manufacturing companies that expand their operations into global markets. Various factors influence firms’ digitalization processes, and they relate to organizational culture, structure, and the integration of technologies. In manufacturing firms, findings indicate that digitalization helps optimize resources to enhance efficiency while also improving the productivity of employees. Through its network-based model, Haier has overcome significant challenges to successfully internationalize through the aggressive use of innovative technologies, enabling the firm to diversify its brands of smart home living. Therefore, the research concludes that digitalization is the central key to successful internationalization by enhancing a firm's global competitiveness. The findings of the research are consistent with the theoretical framework. For manufacturing firms, digitalization is essential for their successful internationalization, which ultimately leads to an improvement in their global competitiveness

Retail Distribution Within the New York City Organic Cacao Market

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies small physical commodities firm owners need to establish a distribution channel within the commodities market to enhance profits. The general business problem was that importing physical commodities from emerging markets was not profitable. The specific business problem was some small physical wholesale commodities firm managers lacked strategies to establish distribution channels for imported commodities. The information presented in this study is important to suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of organic cacao products to identify strategies to enhance their distribution channels. Disruptive innovation and the theory of constraints grounded the conceptual framework to relate ideas presented in this study. The central research question guiding the study concerned strategies small physical wholesale commodities firm owners used to establish distribution channels within the commodities market. Participants included 6 small business owners who gave recorded responses during in-depth, face-to-face interviews. The 6 interview recordings were transcribed, then coded and interpreted. Data analysis revealed 6 themes, which included price point strategy, B2B relationships, differentiation, strategic locations, sufficient operating capital, and customer relationships. Enhancing profits in the distribution channels of small organic cacao companies requires a holistic approach in the New York City area. The social implications of this study may draw attention to organic cacao, which is a healthy alternative to confectionery chocolate. Strategies introduced to enhance profits may increase economic growth in the local communities in the New York Tri-State area