Empirical International Entrepreneurship

This handbook is focused on the analytical dimension in researching ​international entrepreneurship. It offers a diverse collection of chapters focused on qualitative and quantitative methods that are being practised and can be used by future researchers in the field of international entrepreneurship. The qualitative cluster covers articles, conceptual and empirical chapters as well as literature reviews, whereas the quantitative cluster analyses international entrepreneurship through a broad range of statistical methods such as regressions, panel data, structural equation modelling as well as decision-making and optimisation models in certain and uncertain circumstances. This book is essential reading for researchers, scholars and practitioners who want to learn and implement new methods in analysing entrepreneurial opportunities across national borders.

The importance of entrepreneurship for achieving economic growth in contemporary economies is widely recognized, both by policy makers and economists. It is deeply embedded in the current European policy approach that the creativity and independence of entrepreneurs contribute to higher levels of economic activity. Indeed, according to the European Commission (2003, p. 9), "The challenge for the European Union is to identify the key factors for building a climate in which entrepreneurial initiative and business activities can thrive. Policy measures should seek to boost the Union's levels of entrepreneurship, adopting the most appropriate approach for producing more entrepreneurs and for getting more firms to grow. " Audretsch (2003, p. 5) states that "Entrepreneurship has become the engine of economic and social development throughout the world. " The relation between entrepreneurship and economic growth is embedded in several strands of the economic literature. A first strand of literature involves the general understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in the modern economy. Seminal contributions were made by Schumpeter (1934), Knight (1921) and Kirzner (1973). These economists stress different aspects of the role of the entrepreneur. While Schumpeter stresses the innovating aspect, Knight stresses the risk assuming aspect. Kirzner, finally, stresses the role of the entrepreneur in leading markets to equilibrium. Acs (1992) discusses the contribution of small firms in modern economies.

This book focuses on understanding the international behaviours of SMEs, entrepreneurial ventures, and entrepreneurs. The collection of contributions gathered in the book highlights the importance of cultures, contexts and behaviours that pertain to the international entrepreneurship arena. The respective chapters address topics such as entrepreneurial cognition, international entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation, international market entry decisions, family SMEs, international human resources management, cross-cultural and indigenous entrepreneurship, social capital and sustainability in international markets. All contributions are based on the latest empirical and theoretical research, and provide key findings and concrete recommendations for scholars, entrepreneurs, organizations and policy makers.

For the very first time, this book offers a complete overview the topic and its foundations of international entrepreneurship. With an in-depth analysis of the different theoretical foundations, it uses important empirical analysis and useful case studies to propose a new theoretical framework and interpretative modelling.

Emerging Paradigms in International Entrepreneurship consists of 15 articles organised into six broad themes of interest to scholars. . . which are likely to remain of interest for some time. Ben Oviatt, Journal of International Business Studies International entrepreneurship as a field of study is not necessarily confined to the internationalisation phenomenon, and recently advanced definitions suggest significant scope for the development and establishment of, as yet, undetermined parameters. Emerging Paradigms in International Entrepreneurship identifies key themes that collectively demonstrate the convergence of thinking at the interface between the disciplines of international business and entrepreneurship. These are: development of the field and the effects of international entrepreneurship on a new economy conceptual and paradigmatic developments international entrepreneurship and the internet as a developing research agenda contacts links and networks as process driven internationalisation cross-sectoral, cross-national and cross-cultural comparisons of entrepreneurship the experiential emphasis in entrepreneurial internationalisation. Explaining the complexities of enterprise in an international and sometimes global environment, this book is distinguished by the cross-disciplinary nature of its contributors and their efforts to develop new paradigmatic approaches in an area characterised by theoretical diversity and convergence. Appealing to researchers, academics and policymakers working in international business particularly the international growth and development of small firms and for entrepreneurship and small firm scholars this book is a must-have. Lecturers and students on post-graduate programmes would also be interested in the book as a reader.

New Frontiers in the Internationalization of Businesses: Empirical Evidence from Indigenous Businesses in Canada highlights the impact of international expansion as a potential pathway to address the challenges of poverty and vulnerability, and provide relevant new knowledge on the factors that support successful international expansion of Indigenous businesses. This book examines how entrepreneur’s identity and cultural values, network ties, motivations, and resources and capabilities facilitate or hinder the internationalization of Indigenous businesses. This book also investigates the economic and non-economic outcomes of internationalization. Most interestingly, this book answers the question of what is so new about the internationalization of Indigenous businesses by comparing this context to mainstream (non-Indigenous) businesses. The book also delves in the phenomena related to home-based businesses, service industries, and specific ethnic groups. This book has implications for vulnerable populations, especially those more than 370 million indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. Studying those Indigenous businesses that decide to pursue international opportunities and how they become successful in international markets is a timely and novel area of research. Understanding this context contributes to current debates in international business.

In a world defined by increasing uncertainty and complexity, understanding the concept of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) is of critical importance. This volume convenes some of the world’s leading experts on EO to provide readers with an overview of the current state of EO research and set a compelling agenda for its future.

This book is an important contribution to the field of international entrepreneurship. . . it provides a comprehensive account of internationalization strategies adopted by SMEs in a wide range of European countries, and by drawing on a number of empirical studies, it enriches the theory of SME internationalization with a new theoretical framework that can be useful for understanding the complexity of SME internationalization processes in Europe. Julia Korosteleva, Thunderbird International Business Review From Andorra to Wales with stops in more than 35 other European countries along the way, this comprehensive collection of articles is required reading for scholars interested in international entrepreneurship. It provides information on how entrepreneurs and their firms go international from virtually every country in Europe. This unique volume permits researchers to compare how the process of entrepreneurial internationalization is affected by differences in culture, location, technology, and other influences within Europe. Furthermore, the various authors consider a range of theoretically important issues, such as cooperation and trust, venture capital, research and development, learning, networks, and government policy. This book serves as an essential departure point from which scholars can embark on their study of international entrepreneurship in Europe. Benjamin M. Oviatt, Georgia State University, US This is a timely and interesting book that brings together some of the most insightful contributions on the internationalization of new ventures, with an emphasis on the European experiences. Assembling some of the best scholars, the book offers a distinctively European perspective one that deserves recognition, analysis, and discussion. I applaud the editors for doing such a masterful job in bringing a great group of researchers and ideas together. I highly recommend this book for any serious researcher and scholar. Shaker A. Zahra, University of Minnesota, US This remarkable book provides valuable contributions on how the process of SMEs internationalization is operating in 37 different European countries. Researchers in international entrepreneurship will find new materials for theorization. Numerous facets of international business are carefully documented by a great many well-known scholars. Also, given the variety of situations typical of the European small business sector, the book may prove to be helpful to small-scale entrepreneurs wishing to take steps towards internationalization. Overall, this coordinate work makes you realize why Europe is so fascinating. Jean-Jacques Obrecht, University Robert Schuman, Strasbourg, France This unique comparative study of the internationalization of small firms is a milestone in international business research. It compares the internationalization strategies of fast-growing firms across nearly forty different European countries. It shows that the growth trajectories of firms reflect the investing country s geographical location, natural resource endowments, legal and financial institutions and local culture. There are many important new insights to be gained from a careful study of this important new research resource. Mark Casson, University of Reading, UK This unique Handbook illustrates how entrepreneurs across Europe tackle internationalization. This timely and important book identifies patterns and builds a theory of international entrepreneurship in Europe. The contributors discuss the performances of SMEs on the road to internationalization. Each chapter emphasizes how the process of internationalization of SMEs operates, the challenges and opportunities that arise due to each country s specific political and economic situation, and their subsequent internationalization performance. These processes, challenges and performances can be understood through theories of international business and entrepreneurship. Although at times these theories cannot fully