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Opening and closing doors: The role of language in international opportunity recognition and exploitation

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  • Hurmerinta, Leila
  • Nummela, Niina
  • Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, Eriikka

Abstract

This study focuses on the impact of language skills on international opportunity recognition and exploitation. Data were collected from Finnish food industry companies employing a mixed-methods research strategy. It was found that the linguistic knowledge of the decision-maker is related to international opportunity recognition and exploitation, potentially creating a ‘knowledge corridor’ that either encourages or prevents international opportunities from being seen. A ‘matching linguistic knowledge’ construct was developed to investigate this knowledge corridor. The findings indicate that matching linguistic knowledge steers managers in their recognition of international opportunities, but the importance of the knowledge corridor has decreased with the emergence of Business English.

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  • Hurmerinta, Leila & Nummela, Niina & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, Eriikka, 2015. "Opening and closing doors: The role of language in international opportunity recognition and exploitation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 1082-1094.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:24:y:2015:i:6:p:1082-1094
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2015.04.010
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    4. Eini Haaja, 2020. "Why do some SMEs engage in joint internationalisation and others do not? Exploring the role of mental images in collective international opportunity recognition," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 15-43, March.
    5. Montserrat Entrialgo & Víctor Iglesias & Frank Müller, 2019. "Are European Part-Time MBA Programs Designed to Foster Entrepreneurial Minds? An Exploratory Study," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Leanne Johnstone & Mariana Pio Monteiro & Inês Ferreira & Johanna Westerlund & Roosa Aalto & Jenni Marttinen, 2018. "Language ability and entrepreneurship education: Necessary skills for Europe’s start-ups?," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 369-397, September.
    7. Kano, Hirokazu, 2023. "Early internationalization and subsequent geographic expansion: An extended Penrosean perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).
    8. Dillon, Sarah M. & Glavas, Charmaine & Mathews, Shane, 2020. "Digitally immersive, international entrepreneurial experiences," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
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