The effect of international intrapreneurship on firm export performance with driving force of organizational factors

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to reveal the effect of the two international intrapreneurship activities of employee strategic renewal behaviour and new business venture behaviour on small and medium enterprises (SMEs)’s export performance with the direct and indirect effects of transformational leadership, international entrepreneurial orientation and internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consists of 461 employees at 168 Vietnamese import and export SMEs in the Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. The data is analysed by structural equation modelling.FindingsThe paper reveals that the two international intrapreneurship activities of employee strategic renewal behaviour and new business venture behaviour significantly contribute to SMEs’ export performance. Transformational leadership, internal CSR practice and international entrepreneurial orientation positively and significantly direct influence the two international intrapreneurship activities. The effects of transformational leadership on international intrapreneurial behaviours are partially mediated by firm internal CSR practices and international entrepreneurial orientation.Research limitations/implicationsFirms would have to form the architecture and mechanisms to apply internal CSR and international entrepreneurship orientation for supporting the dedication of international intrapreneurship with a transformational leadership base.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the body of knowledge on international business by integrating resource-based view theory and dynamic capabilities theory in a way that benefits entrepreneurship and SMEs’ export performance.