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The internationalization of small firms: The relationship between the global mindset and firms’ internationalization behavior

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  • Oyvin Kyvik
  • Willem Saris
  • Eduard Bonet
  • J. Felício

Abstract

Some firms in internationally oriented industries are internationalized while other comparable firms in the same sector or industry do not. Observing this difference in strategic behavior among small firms led us to consider how differences in CEOs’ attitudes, international orientation, and mindset might explain it. Therefore, this study adopts a cognitive perspective on management to explore the formation of the global mindset and the relationship between the global mindset of small-firm decision makers and their firms’ internationalization behavior. A theory-based conceptual model and measurement instrument are developed and—using structural equation modeling—the model is estimated based on empirical data from cross-sectional samples of small Norwegian and Portuguese firms. The study finds: (1) a strong causal relationship between the global mindset and firms’ internationalization behavior; (2) the combination of the findings and substantive theory indicates that the main driver of firms’ internationalization operates through the global mindset. This study also covers the factors that strongly influence the formation of a global mindset, especially the decision makers’ work experience and personal characteristics in terms of propensity to interdisciplinary collaboration, cognitive flexibility, and networking capability. Based on these findings, suggestions are made for policies that can foster the internationalization of small firms. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Oyvin Kyvik & Willem Saris & Eduard Bonet & J. Felício, 2013. "The internationalization of small firms: The relationship between the global mindset and firms’ internationalization behavior," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(2), pages 172-195, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:11:y:2013:i:2:p:172-195
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-013-0105-1
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    Cited by:

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    5. Zhang, Jianhong & Zhou, Chaohong & van Gorp, Désirée M. & van Witteloostuijn, Arjen, 2020. "Willingness to work for multinational enterprises from emerging countries: The case of Chinese multinational enterprises in the Netherlands," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    6. Hazem Ali & Min Li & Zhongli Wu & Xunmin Qiu, 2023. "An Examination of the Identification and Exploitation of International Opportunities Among Chinese Traditional SMEs," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    7. Oliveira, Luis & Johanson, Martin, 2021. "Trust and firm internationalization: Dark-side effects on internationalization speed and how to alleviate them," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1-12.
    8. Felício, José Augusto & Duarte, Margarida & Rodrigues, Ricardo, 2016. "Global mindset and SME internationalization: A fuzzy-set QCA approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 1372-1378.
    9. Hazem Ali & Min Li & Xunmin Qiu & Qamar Farooq, 2023. "Global Mindset and Adaptive Marketing Capabilities in the Internationalization of Mature Chinese SMEs: International Opportunity Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    10. Stephanie E. Mansion & Andreas Bausch, 2020. "Intangible assets and SMEs’ export behavior: a meta-analytical perspective," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 727-760, October.
    11. Oyvin Kyvik, 2018. "The global mindset: a must for international innovation and entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 309-327, June.
    12. Augusto Felício, J. & Caldeirinha, Vítor R. & Ribeiro-Navarrete, Belen, 2015. "Corporate and individual global mind-set and internationalization of European SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 797-802.
    13. Hélène Laurell & Svante Andersson & Leona Achtenhagen, 2013. "The importance of industry context for new venture internationalisation: A case study from the life sciences," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(4), pages 297-319, December.
    14. Prange, Christiane & Pinho, José Carlos, 2017. "How personal and organizational drivers impact on SME international performance: The mediating role of organizational innovation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 1114-1123.
    15. Rodgers, Waymond & Degbey, William Y. & Söderbom, Arne & Leijon, Svante, 2022. "Leveraging international R&D teams of portfolio entrepreneurs and management controllers to innovate: Implications of algorithmic decision-making," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 232-244.
    16. José Jesús Merlos García, 2015. "Export Inhibitors In The First Stage Of The Internationalization Process: Evidence From Mexico," International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 8(2), pages 67-83.

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