Partnership or self-reliance entry modes: Large and small technology-based enterprises’ strategies in overseas markets

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This study compares large firms against small and medium-sized firms in technology industries and assesses the differences between them in the choices between partnership and self-reliance entry modes. A sample of 166 large, small, and medium-sized firms in technology industries was analyzed using LISREL 8.30. Results indicate that, given innovative advantage, large and small and medium-sized firms both prefer self-reliance entry modes. With violent market dynamism, large firms prefer self-reliance entry modes while small and medium-sized firms prefer partnership entry modes. When high promotional effort is required, small and medium-sized firms prefer partnership entry modes and large firms may prefer partnership entry modes as well. This study provides important guidance for managers of large and small technology-based firms to select their entry modes when they enter overseas markets.