International Opportunity Development Research Articles

The effect of international opportunity recognition processes on problem-solving competence: how does past negative entrepreneurial experience matter?

Research background: Little research addresses how identifying an opportunity in the international market, whether through active search or serendipitous discovery, may have implications for the subsequent gestation behaviors. An emerging body of research suggests addressing this deficiency by focusing on the cognitive and experience-based factors that international entrepreneurs use to develop an opportunity in the foreign market once identified. Purpose of the article: The aim of this study is to explore the role of active and serendipitous international opportunity recognition (IOR) in entrepreneurs? problem-solving skills (problem-solving speed and creativity), as well as the moderating effect of past negative entrepreneurial experience (PNE) on such relationships. Methods: This study used the survey data collection method through an online self-administered questionnaire. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used to analyze the results over a sample of Spanish international entrepreneurs. Findings & value added: The results show that entrepreneurs that have identified an international opportunity (IO) actively are better equipped to solve problems speedily than those that have discovered an IO serendipitously. In contrast, entrepreneurs who identified an IO serendipitously are better equipped to solve problems creatively. Furthermore, the impact of active search on problem-solving speed is greater for entrepreneurs without PNE, and the impact of active search on problem-solving creativity is greater for entrepreneurs with PNE. Also, it is found that PNE does not moderate serendipitous IOR relationship with problem-solving competence. These findings are relevant as they indicate that the IOR processes have implications for the subsequent gestation behaviors. Thus, the value added of this study is the combination of cognitive and experience-based factors of the international entrepreneur to enrich the link between IOR processes and IO development. These are two intertwined and interdependent processes, which, however, have been scarcely studied as a whole. The results of this research help international entrepreneurs to understand how and why the way they recognized an IO and having or not PNE influence their problem-solving skills during the IO development phase.

International opportunity development on crowdfunding platforms: A spatial, temporal, and structural framework

Despite the prevalence and global diffusion of digital platforms, the international entrepreneurship literature has paid limited attention to the latent potential of this type of digital context for the emergence and actualization of international opportunities (IOs). Drawing on the cognitive and digital entrepreneurship literature, we develop a framework that focuses on the spatial, temporal, and structural dimensions of digital crowdfunding platforms. We elucidate how these three contextual dimensions influence the IO development, namely IO recognition, evaluation, and exploitation. We present three testable propositions, an illustrative case, and a future research agenda that provide a foundation for research on IOs in the digital context.

International opportunity development of born global firms: the role of institutions

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to investigate the international opportunity development process of born global firms embedded in two different institutional contexts: China, an emerging economy and Italy, a developed country. Drawing on the entrepreneurial opportunity literature and institutional theory, this study explores and draws insights into how home country institutions of born globals can influence the international opportunity development process of the firms.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative case study approach with in-depth, semi-structured interviews of six born global companies from China and Italy. In doing so, this study uses a flexible pattern matching design, which is consistent with the qualitative research design of the paper.FindingsThe findings of the study indicate that home institutions play an influential, yet differential role in the international opportunity development processes of Chinese and Italian born global firms. While the Italian firms shape their opportunities mainly through product innovation, their Chinese counterparts develop opportunities primarily through networks embedded in their home institutional context.Originality/valueThe key contributions of the paper relate to an integrated analysis of the international opportunity development process of born globals in China and Italy based on institutional theory, which has received limited attention in the international entrepreneurship literature. In addition, the study advances the similarities and differences in the international opportunity development process in two different countries, thus providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to enter international markets successfully.

International entrepreneurship from emerging to developed markets: an institutional perspective

PurposeThe authors explore how home and host market institutions impact emerging market (EM) international entrepreneurship (IE) into developed markets.Design/methodology/approachBased on four case studies of Nigerian entrepreneurs expanding into the USA, this qualitative research adopts an institutional perspective to the study of EM IE.FindingsThe findings show home and host formal and informal institutions simultaneously enable and constrain the IE process. Weak home institutions shape the international opportunity recognition decision but seriously impede international opportunity development and exploitation activities in the developed market. EM entrepreneurs benefit from highly functioning regulation in the developed market whilst also experiencing discriminatory treatment from institutions. The findings of the study further show the positive and constraining effects of host institutions throughout the process.Originality/valueBased on the findings, the paper details future research ideas, managerial implications and recommendation for policymakers.

The impact of knowledge creation and acquisition on innovation, coopetition and international opportunity development

The impact of knowledge creation and acquisition on innovation, coopetition and international opportunity development

The impact of knowledge creation and acquisition on innovation, coopetition and international opportunity development

This study sought to analyse the impact of the creation and acquisition of knowledge in company coopetition and innovation, as well as the effect of coopetition and innovation on internationalisati...

Entrepreneurial orientation and international opportunity development by SMEs: The mediating role of decision-making logic

ABSTRACT Research on international entrepreneurship has studied entrepreneurial orientation’s influence on the international performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs), but scholars need to learn more about the mechanisms that allow a firm to translate its entrepreneurial orientation into new opportunities to enter foreign markets. In this study, we employ effectuation theory to investigate this association and to enhance the understanding of international opportunity development by resource-poor SMEs. Our analysis of 164 SMEs in New Zealand supported the mediating role of effectual and causal decision-making logics in the association between entrepreneurial orientation and international opportunity. Our study contributes to the literature on international entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation and helps SMEs to successfully translate their entrepreneurial orientation to foreign market entries.

Bringing Nordic Slush to Asia: Entrepreneurial internationalization of an NGO as a social movement

We explore the internationalization of Slush, an entrepreneurship-promoting NGO from Finland that expanded to Japan, China, and Singapore. We incorporate the social movement theory that allows revealing special mechanisms of NGOs’ internationalization. We show, first, that international opportunity development of internationalizing NGOs is triggered by the shared dissatisfaction with societal conditions. Second, their collective resource mobilization enables networks and learning in foreign markets. Third, internationalizing NGOs overcome internationalization liabilities through building their social identities. We also offer a model of NGO internationalization that incorporates the social movement theory. Overall, our study broadens internationalization research by bringing a non-business theory into it.

Market and internationalization knowledge in entrepreneurial internationalization processes

PurposeBy bringing together the IB and IE literatures, the purpose of this paper is to examine the internationalization process as an entrepreneurial process related to the development of international opportunities. It explicitly connects different types of knowledge (i.e. market and internationalization), international opportunities and the internationalization process comprising both new foreign market entry and sequential moves that happen after entry.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper that reviews the literature on knowledge, opportunities and the internationalization process. Moreover, the paper identifies the current gaps in the literature and builds new theory that sheds light into how these three concepts are related. The paper also presents a model and propositions that should guide future research.FindingsThe proposed model shows that market and internationalization knowledge combine to form the international knowledge stockpile of the firm, which moderates the relationship between the development of international opportunities and the internationalization process, comprising not only new foreign market entry but also sequential moves that happen after entry using either mode continuation or modal shift. Moreover, it shows that the development of opportunities only leads to modal shifts after a certain threshold is achieved.Research limitations/implicationsThe propositions suggest that market and internationalization knowledge are positively related to international opportunities, which, in turn, are related to foreign market entry and sequential moves using mode continuation. International opportunities, however, are related to modal shifts only beyond a threshold. Moreover, the international knowledge stockpile of the firm moderates the relationship between international opportunities and the internationalization process. Because this is a conceptual paper, the propositions have not been tested and, therefore, lack empirical validation. Nonetheless, the model is a starting point to new research on internationalization distinguishing different types of knowledge as well as different sequential moves.Originality/valueThis study shows that the internationalization process is contingent on the different types of knowledge associated with it. It also introduces the idea of a threshold that shapes the internationalization process. The bulk of the research on internationalization suggests that such a process is gradual and incremental. This study offers a non-linear alternative.

Transnational intrapreneurship: opportunity development in transnational teams in the Nordic periphery

Transnational resources of entrepreneurs and employees foster firm's competiveness. Firm competitiveness, especially the knowledge intensive business, is linked to its talent base and embeddedness in international networks providing business opportunities. However, in peripheral regions it is challenging to capitalise on international talent. This single case study describes an enterprise in Northern Sweden, which is strategically employing transnational diaspora resources and foreign STEM-talent as transnational intrapreneurs developing the business. The study contributes to international opportunity development and transnational diaspora research and illustrates how the creation of a transnational work-scape may compensate locational disadvantages and enable access to new opportunities and ideas.

Transnational intrapreneurship: Opportunity development in transnational teams in the Nordic periphery

Transnational resources of entrepreneurs and employees foster firm's competiveness. Firm competitiveness, especially the knowledge intensive business, is linked to its talent base and embeddedness in international networks providing business opportunities. However, in peripheral regions it is challenging to capitalise on international talent. This single case study describes an enterprise in Northern Sweden, which is strategically employing transnational diaspora resources and foreign STEM-talent as transnational intrapreneurs developing the business. The study contributes to international opportunity development and transnational diaspora research and illustrates how the creation of a transnational work-scape may compensate locational disadvantages and enable access to new opportunities and ideas.

Dynamics of international opportunity development

Internationalization is a process of international opportunity development. Opportunities emerge as outcomes of an iterative evaluation process, during which the geographical scope of opportunity m...

Market and Internationalization Knowledge in the Entrepreneurial Internationalization Process

This article aims to distinguish between the different types of knowledge and show how they interact to shape the internationalization process of the firm. We disaggregate experiential knowledge into market knowledge and internationalization knowledge, and show how each of them is related to the development of international opportunities. Moreover, we suggest that market and internationalization knowledge combine to form the international knowledge stockpile of the firm, which will moderate the relationship between the development of international opportunities and the internationalization process of the firm beyond a threshold. We assess the internationalization process of the firm using a dynamic approach that considers not only foreign market entry but also sequential moves that happen after entry. By arguing that the accumulation of knowledge only shapes the internationalization process of the firm beyond a threshold, we refine the current assumption that the accumulation of knowledge is incremental and gradually shapes the internationalization process of the firm.

International “Broadening Experiences”: A Method for Integrating International Opportunities for Physical Therapist Students

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEHealth care providers in the United States must be prepared to work with patients and clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and places. Educators are charged with providing opportunities for students to develop skills such as cultural competence, social facility, cross-cultural understanding, and a wider word view-both figuratively and literally. Providing students with information about health professional education and practice around the world is also helpful. Opportunities for students to experience diversity should be available both inside and outside the classroom. International opportunities to learn about diversity, social determinants of health, physical therapist practice, and global health care can provide students with new ways of seeing the world. Such opportunities facilitate the growth and development of practitioners who have greater cultural awareness, global knowledge and understanding, knowledge of global health care issues, and knowledge of education and practice outside the United States. These future professionals will have a greater ability to relate to the wide variety of people they will encounter in their careers. Further, international opportunities often provide chances for professional networking and collaboration.Many physical therapist education programs are adding international opportunities1-4 In 2009, Pechak and Thompson4 examined the prominence and development of international opportunities in physical therapist education programs and found that nearly 43% of programs in the United States and Canada had international opportunities and that another 14% reported that such opportunities would be added in the near future. In that study, the faculty reported that international opportunities were beneficial for themselves and for students and that such opportunities enhanced the physical therapists' role in the global health arena. In the United States, this focus on international initiatives and the associated literature seems to be driven and supported by American Physical Therapy Association core values5 and by the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.6 Each of these documents includes the professional values of social responsibility, altruism, professionalism, and professional duty in practice and in the education of physical therapist students. These core values are closely connected to the cross-cultural and professional benefits of international experiences. The personal and professional value and importance of such experiences have been emphasized in the literature. International collaborations in academic and clinical settings have been found to result in global connectedness3 and rich and rewarding experiences that are life changing.7In physical therapist education programs across the United States, various models exist for providing international experiences for students. Aside from international clinical placements, other international programs include the use of service learning experiences; program-affiliated pro bono efforts, such as clinics; community partnerships for student exposure to various groups of patients/clients; and volunteerism.4,8 What is missing in the literature is a method for maximizing global opportunities for large groups of students without stretching already thin faculty resources.The general importance of providing international opportunities for students in higher education has been described by multiple authors.9-14 Rightly, the literature related to international experiences is often concerned with student outcomes. Although much of this research tends to be limited by small sample sizes, positive outcomes related to self-examination, intellectual growth and maturity, and skills in relationship and rapport building have been reported. These factors ultimately result in improved cultural competence after international experiences. International experiences have been reported to offer greater benefits in developing cultural competency skills than classroom education alone. …

SME international opportunity scouting—empirical insights on its determinants and outcomes

International opportunities are the catalysts of SME internationalization. Our knowledge regarding the role of international opportunities in internationalization is undisputable, yet our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of international opportunity development remains inadequate. In this paper, we seek to address this shortcoming in the literature by answering the following research questions: how do internal and external factors influence the international opportunity scouting of SMEs, and what are the effects of the international opportunity scouting strategy in the internationalization of the firm? From a case study of nine Swedish SMEs, the authors develop propositions on the interplay between the theoretical constructs: international experience, network structure, international opportunity scouting, and international opportunity novelty. We propose that the greater the international experience of the SME, the more systematically the SME will scout for international opportunities; the more closed the network the SME is embedded in, the more systematically the SME will scout for international opportunities; and the more systematically the SME scouts for international opportunities, the lower the novelty of the opportunities identified by the SME. These findings come with implications for theory as well as for SME managers.

International entrepreneurship: A critical analysis of studies in the past two decades and future directions for research

International entrepreneurship (IE) is an emerging field with a rapidly growing body of knowledge. This paper examines gaps, issues and trends of the IE in the last two decades. First, it suggests an integrative framework based on international business, entrepreneurship, strategic management, social network and marketing theories. The suggested model highlights the significant role played by the entrepreneur/team, firm and network resources that act as antecedents to international opportunity development and value innovation. Second, it suggests four typologies of firms (born global, enduring global, early exporter and mature exporter) that can be studied under the IE theme. Finally, we discuss future research directions.