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Incremental versus Rapid Internationalisation of Firms: Results of Exploratory Investigation from Poland

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  • Krzysztof Wach

    (Cracow University of Economics, Poland)

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of the article was to discuss the pace of internationalisation and its empirical verification among Polish firms taking into account two factors – strategic thinking and familiness of the studied firms. Research Design & Methods: The paper, apart from literature review and its critique, is based on results of a survey conducted among randomly selected 355 internationalised firms of different sizes from Poland. Findings: Firms having an internationalisation strategy rather internationalize faster than these lacking such a strategy, taking into account the average number of years elapses from its founding to the first internationalisation. The empirical results show that the average time of internationalisation is shorter in case of family firms than non-family firms. Implications & Recommendations: Strategic thinking seems to be very important while going international. A well thought-out strategy can stimulate the whole process of internationalisation, so decision makers, especially entrepreneurs, should pay more attention to strategic aspects, even in early stages of development or early internationalisation. Contribution & Value Added: The article attempts to enrich the ongoing scientific discourse on the role of time and the pace of internationalisation by adding some evidence from Poland illustrating and verifying the links between strategic thinking as well as familiness of firms and the speed of internationalisation measured in years from the establishment of firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Krzysztof Wach, 2015. "Incremental versus Rapid Internationalisation of Firms: Results of Exploratory Investigation from Poland," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 3(4), pages 37-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:krk:eberjl:v:3:y:2015:i:4:p:37-48
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Aleksandra Wąsowska, 2017. "The Internationalisation of Family Firms: the Role of the Ownership Structure and the Composition of Top Management Team," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 5(1), pages 169-185.
    2. Haddoud, Mohamed Yacine & Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Nowiński, Witold, 2021. "Environmental commitment and innovation as catalysts for export performance in family firms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Głodowska Agnieszka & Pera Bożena & Wach Krzysztof, 2019. "International Strategy as the Facilitator of the Speed, Scope, and Scale of Firms’ Internationalization," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 27(3), pages 55-84, September.
    4. Magdalena Rosińska-Bukowska, 2017. "Strategic Changes in Transnational Corporations as an Adjustment to the Challenges of the 21st Century," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 5(2), pages 143-157.
    5. Mariola Ciszewska-Mlinarič, 2016. "Foreign Market Knowledge and SME’s International Performance: Moderating Effects of Strategic Intent and Time-to-Internationalization," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 4(4), pages 51-66.
    6. Krzysztof Wach, 2017. "Exploring the Role of Ownership in International Entrepreneurship: How does Ownership Affect Internationalisation of Polish Firms?," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 5(4), pages 205-223.
    7. Bartosz Deszczyński & Krzysztof Fonfara & Adam Dymitrowski, 2017. "The role of relationships in initiating the internationalization process in B2B markets," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 5(4), pages 91-109.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    born globals; international business; international entrepreneurship; internationalisation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration

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