"Returnee social networks, resource acquisition and returnee entrepreneurship"

Abstract

We contribute to the literature on understanding the different categories of individuals in international entrepreneurship by exploring returnee entrepreneurs as a focal group. Building on social network theory and the international entrepreneurship literature, we examine the mechanisms through which returnee entrepreneurs’ liability of outsidership influences their exploitation of opportunities across national borders. The findings show that resource acquisition mediates the relationship between returnee entrepreneurs’ outsidership and firm performance. In addition, this study identifies the strategic actions that returnee entrepreneurs can take to overcome the inherent liability of outsidership and leverage potential overseas advantages. Returnee entrepreneurs can overcome outsidership through collaborating with local top management team (TMT) members who serve as local brokers and help to capture entrepreneurial opportunities by facilitating resource acquisition. This study extends existing research on...