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Small firm internationalization through experiential learning: The moderating role of socialization tactics

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  • Michailova, Snejina
  • Wilson, Heather I.M.

Abstract

The importance of experiential knowledge for small firm internationalization has been emphasized in the process model of internationalization, the international new venture or born-global frameworks and the management characteristics perspective in the exporting literature. However, none examines in detail under what conditions experiential learning is more important for internationalization. We borrow insights from the socialization tactics literature to theorize how the context, content and social aspects of a foreign sojourn offer different opportunities for the acquisition of experiential knowledge to support the internationalization of small firms. We suggest that socialization tactics moderate the relationship between individual international experiential knowledge and small firm internationalization. We propose that the opportunities for international experiential learning are superior when the socialization context is individual and formal (rather than collective and non-formal), the socialization content is sequential and fixed (rather than random and variable) and when socialization involves serial and investiture (rather than disjunctive and divestiture) social aspects.

Suggested Citation

  • Michailova, Snejina & Wilson, Heather I.M., 2008. "Small firm internationalization through experiential learning: The moderating role of socialization tactics," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 243-254, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:43:y:2008:i:2:p:243-254
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    9. Juan M. Pellegrino & Rod B. McNaughton, 2015. "The Co-evolution of Learning and Internationalization Strategy in International New Ventures," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 457-483, August.
    10. Marian V. Jones & Lucrezia Casulli, 2014. "International Entrepreneurship: Exploring the Logic and Utility of Individual Experience through Comparative Reasoning Approaches," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(1), pages 45-69, January.
    11. Larisa Kapustina & Ivan Vozmilov & Valerio Temperini, 2017. "Demand on Business Education Services Concerning Companies’ Internationalisation in Italian Marche Region and Sverdlovsk District," Economy of region, Centre for Economic Security, Institute of Economics of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, vol. 1(3), pages 908-921.
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