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The export orientation and export performance of high-technology SMEs in emerging markets: The effects of knowledge transfer by returnee entrepreneurs

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Abstract

Combining international business research with the knowledge-based view, this paper examines factors affecting the export orientation and export performance of high-technology Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy. Using a unique, hand-collected dataset of 711 SMEs from Zhongguancun Science Park in China, it argues that export orientation and performance depend not only on the development of capabilities through R&D and technology transfer, but also on entrepreneurial characteristics, such as the founder's international background and global networks. It is also shown that both export orientation and performance are positively associated with the presence of a “returnee” entrepreneur.

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Acknowledgements

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2007 Academy of Management Conference (Philadelphia, USA). We are grateful to Garry Bruton, Keith Brouthers, Shaker Zahra, Lorraine Eden (the Editor) and two anonymous referees for their insightful comments. Financial support from the British Academy grant number LRG-39371 is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Management, Sir John Cass Business School, City University London, UK

    Igor Filatotchev

  2. Loughborough University Business School, UK

    Xiaohui Liu & Trevor Buck

  3. Centre for Management Buy-out Research, Nottingham University Business School, UK

    Mike Wright

  4. Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Mike Wright

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  1. Igor Filatotchev
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  2. Xiaohui Liu
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  3. Trevor Buck
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  4. Mike Wright
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Accepted by Shaker Zahra, and Lorraine Eden, Departmental Editors, 10 April 2008. This paper has been with the authors for two revisions.

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Filatotchev, I., Liu, X., Buck, T. et al. The export orientation and export performance of high-technology SMEs in emerging markets: The effects of knowledge transfer by returnee entrepreneurs. J Int Bus Stud 40, 1005–1021 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2008.105

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