Explaining performance determinants: A knowledge based view of international new ventures

Abstract

From the standpoint of the knowledge-based view (KBV), the attainment and deployment of relevant knowledge is essential to firm performance. Nevertheless, there is little empirical evidence supporting KBV explanations of international new ventures' (INVs') export venture performance. This paper examines a KBV framework of INVs' export venture performance to assess the role of knowledge-based resources within the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) performance paradigm. The results show that EO is a common antecedent to knowledge-based resources, marketing capabilities, and export venture performance. Knowledge-based resources impact marketing capabilities, which, in turn, influence export venture performance. The findings show that EO interacts with knowledge-based resources to shape marketing capabilities. The implication for managers is that INVs require EO to develop knowledge-based resources that are sufficient to perform effectively and efficiently and to adapt to the environments in which these firms find themselves.