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From global start-ups to the borderless firm: Why and how to build a worldwide value system

Author

Listed:
  • Angela Rocha

    (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)

  • Vítor Corado Simões

    (ISEG, Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Renato Cotta Mello

    (Coppead/Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)

  • Jorge Carneiro

    (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro)

Abstract

Although the original concept of international new ventures included the geographic configuration of value activities, the subsequent development of the literature has gradually abandoned the concern about the geographic configuration of both input sourcing and output marketing to concentrate almost exclusively on the latter. Therefore, this paper argues that there is a need to re-focus the research so as to figure out how and why some companies are borderless. Borderless firms are defined as the result of the combination, early on, of geographically dispersed resources and capabilities, defying the home-base logic. A borderless firm presents the following characteristics (or a combination of them) from inception (or shortly thereafter): (i) value-added activities dispersed across different countries and regions; (ii) entrepreneurs not bounded by a home base; (iii) multinational founders and/or management teams; and (iv) a multinational workforce. To enquiry into this issue, the study uses five case studies of borderless firms. The results advance the understanding of the motives and processes behind the development, early on, of a borderless configuration of value activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Rocha & Vítor Corado Simões & Renato Cotta Mello & Jorge Carneiro, 2017. "From global start-ups to the borderless firm: Why and how to build a worldwide value system," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 121-144, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:15:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10843-017-0200-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-017-0200-9
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    6. Dzikowski, Piotr, 2018. "A bibliometric analysis of born global firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 281-294.

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