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International Entrepreneurship and Capability Development—Qualitative Evidence and Future Research Directions

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  • Erkko Autio
  • Gerard George
  • Oliver Alexy

Abstract

In this article, we explore how new capabilities emerge and solidify in new ventures that are faced with fundamental uncertainty from their environment. To do so, we draw from the organizational and entrepreneurial literature on cognition and capabilities. Using initial qualitative evidence from a multifirm study in the context of new venture internationalization, we develop a cognition–based model of capability emergence in new ventures. Our findings extend the capability development and learning implications of internationalization to the fundamental character of organizing processes in start–ups. Moreover, we derive avenues for future entrepreneurship research on the origins and evolution of capabilities in new ventures.

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  • Erkko Autio & Gerard George & Oliver Alexy, 2011. "International Entrepreneurship and Capability Development—Qualitative Evidence and Future Research Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 35(1), pages 11-37, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:35:y:2011:i:1:p:11-37
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00421.x
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    3. Blesa, Andreu & Ripollés, María, 2021. "Critical capabilities for widening international new ventures’ geographical scope," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 201-213.
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    6. Child, John & Karmowska, Joanna & Shenkar, Oded, 2022. "The role of context in SME internationalization – A review," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
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    8. Alexandre Rodrigues Cajuela & Simone Vasconcelos Ribeiro Galina, 2020. "Processes in Interorganizational Relationships to Develop Absorptive Capacity in Startups," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 24(6), pages 550-566.
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    14. Symeonidou, Noni & Leiponen, Aija & Autio, Erkko & Bruneel, Johan, 2022. "The origins of capabilities: Resource allocation strategies, capability development, and the performance of new firms," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(4).
    15. Yan, Jiaju & Williams, D.W., 2021. "Timing is everything? Curvilinear effects of age at entry on new firm growth and survival and the moderating effect of IPO performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(5).
    16. Bahl, Mona & Lahiri, Somnath & Mukherjee, Debmalya, 2021. "Managing internationalization and innovation tradeoffs in entrepreneurial firms: Evidence from transition economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    17. Niittymies, Aleksi & Pajunen, Kalle, 2020. "Cognitive foundations of firm internationalization: A systematic review and agenda for future research," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).

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