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The role of the entrepreneurial team and the board of directors in the internationalization of academic spin-offs

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  • Ekaterina Bjørnåli
  • Arild Aspelund

Abstract

This study addresses the roles of the entrepreneurial team and the board of directors in the internationalization of academic spin-off companies. The study is based on a quantitative analysis of 109 spin-offs from Norwegian academic institutions. The findings suggest that academic spin-offs are more likely to achieve both international strategic alliances and international sales with entrepreneurial teams having industrial experience that is both highly homogeneous (where each member has work experience in the same industry) and highly diverse (where each member has work experience in different industries) and board members that have diverse functional backgrounds. Firms that are less dependent on networking by board members to increase legitimacy and build relationships with potential foreign customers are more likely to achieve international sales. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Ekaterina Bjørnåli & Arild Aspelund, 2012. "The role of the entrepreneurial team and the board of directors in the internationalization of academic spin-offs," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 350-377, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:10:y:2012:i:4:p:350-377
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-012-0094-5
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    3. Matthews, Russell S. & Chalmers, Dominic M. & Fraser, Simon S., 2018. "The intersection of entrepreneurship and selling: An interdisciplinary review, framework, and future research agenda," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 691-719.
    4. Taheri, Mozhdeh & van Geenhuizen, Marina, 2019. "Knowledge relationships of university spin-off firms: Contrasting dynamics in global reach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 193-204.
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    6. Marina Van Geenhuizen, 2016. "Capability factors in changing patterns of international knowledge relationships among university spin-off firms in Northwest Europe," ERSA conference papers ersa16p405, European Regional Science Association.
    7. Williams, David W. & Crook, T. Russell, 2021. "Unpacking the age at initial internationalization-performance relationship: A meta-analytic investigation," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 15(C).
    8. Zhou Wencang & Rosini Elizabeth, 2015. "Entrepreneurial Team Diversity and Performance: Toward an Integrated Model," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 5(1), pages 31-60, January.
    9. Stefan Houweling & Sven Wolff, 2020. "The influence of scientific prestige and peer effects on the intention to create university spin-offs," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(5), pages 1432-1450, October.
    10. Alice Civera & Davide Donina & Michele Meoli & Silvio Vismara, 2020. "Fostering the creation of academic spinoffs: does the international mobility of the academic leader matter?," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 439-465, June.

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