Setting the pace of internationalization in SME’s: A configurational analysis of SME’s internationalization intentions and speed, based on an entrepreneur’s personality, and firm- and environment-level conditions
Abstract
The purpose of this doctoral thesis is advancing the International Entrepreneurship Literature through a configurational, multi-level perspective on the drivers of Small and Medium Enterprises’ internationalization. Literature on an entrepreneur’s personality and its impact on firm growth and internationalization has shown mixed results. This PhD research suggests that specific personality characteristics/preferences play a role in internationalization decisions when analyzed in combination with the firm’s strategic behaviors and market environment. In this PhD research, we pay specific attention to influencers in the pre-export phase. The first study – a Systematic Literature Review – shows that entrepreneurial characteristics such as proactiveness and risk-taking, or the achievement motive shape aspirations, intentions, opportunity-identification processes and market-entry decisions, which lead to the initiation of internationalization. Building further on these findings, the second study undertakes an empirical exploration of the different configurations of individual growth aspirations, strategic orientations and market turbulence driving an SME’s export ambitions. The third study deep-dives into the process of nascent internationalization and why some SMEs with export ambitions finally choose alternative routes for growth or survival and how personal-and context-characteristics shape these choices. All in all, this Phd research provides an alternative framework for analyzing the ‘export readiness’ of SMEs, in terms of configurations (different patterns) of both the entrepreneur’s personality/preferences, and the firm’s strategy and market context.
Researchers
- Prof. dr. Johanna Vanderstraeten (promoter)
- prof. dr. Bart Cambré (Supervisor)
- Dorinela R. Munteanu