Skip to main content
Log in

Internationalisation: conceptualising an entrepreneurial process of behaviour in time

  • Article
  • Published:
Journal of International Business Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a three-stage process of conceptual development in response to the call for a unifying direction for research in the emergent field of international entrepreneurship. Drawing on classic approaches to internationalisation, and importing insight from entrepreneurship as a separate and distinct field of study, the paper develops three potential models of internationalisation as a time-based process of entrepreneurial behaviour. The models evolve from the simple through general to precise levels of conceptualisation. Research implications are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aaby, N.E. and Slater, S.F. (1989) ‘Management influences on export performance: a review of the empirical literature 1978–1988’, International Marketing Review 6 (4): 7–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ancona, D.G., Goodman, P.S., Lawrence, B.S. and Tushman, M.L. (2001) ‘Time: a new research lens’, Academy of Management Review 26 (4): 645–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, O. (1993) ‘On the internationalization process of firms: a critical analysis’, Journal of International Business Studies 24 (2): 33–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, O. (1997) ‘Internationalization and market entry mode: a review of theories and conceptual frameworks’, Management International Review 37 (2): 7–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, E. and Gatignon, H. (1986) ‘Modes of foreign entry: a transaction cost analysis and proposition’, Journal of International Business Studies 17 (3): 1–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenius, P.M. (2002) Creation of Firm-Level Social Capital, Its Exploitation, and the Process of Early Internationalization, Helsinki University of Technology: Helsinki.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athanassiou, N. and Nigh, D. (2000) ‘Internationalization, tacit knowledge and the top management teams of MNCs’, Journal of International Business Studies 31 (3): 471–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autio, E., Sapienza, H.J. and Almeida, J.G. (2000) ‘Effects of age at entry, knowledge intensity and imitability on international growth’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (5): 909–924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becherer, R.C. and Maurer, J.G. (1997) ‘The moderating effect of environmental variables on the entrepreneurial and marketing orientation of entrepreneur-led firms’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 22 (1): 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J., McNaughton, R., Young, S. and Crick, D. (2003) ‘Towards an integrative model of small firm internationalisation’, Journal of International Entrepreneurship 1 (4): 339–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benito, G.R.G. and Gripsrud, G. (1992) ‘The Expansion of foreign direct investments: discrete rational location choices or a cultural learning process? Journal of International Business Studies 23 (3): 461–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birley, S. (1985) ‘The role of networks in the entrepreneurial process’, Journal of Business Venturing 1: 107–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloodgood, J.M., Sapienza, H.J. and Almeida, J.G. (1996) ‘The Internationalization of new high-potential US ventures: antecedents and outcomes’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 20 (4): 61–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boter, H. and Holmquist, C. (1996) ‘Industry characteristics and internationalization processes in small firms’, Journal of Business Venturing 11: 471–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brazeal, D.V. and Herbert, T.T. (1999) ‘The genesis of entrepreneurship’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 23 (3): 29–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brush, C.G. and Vanderwerf, P.A. (1992) ‘A comparison of methods and sources for obtaining estimates of new venture performance’, Journal of Business Venturing 7 (2): 157–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, P.J. (2002) ‘Is the international business research agenda running out of steam? Journal of International Business Studies 33 (2): 365–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, P.J. and Casson, M. (1985) The Economic Theory of the Multinational Enterprise, Macmillan: London.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, P.J. and Chapman, M. (1996) ‘Theory and method in international business research’, International Business Review 5 (3): 233–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calof, J.C. and Beamish, P. (1995) ‘Adapting to foreign markets: explaining internationalization’, International Business Review 4 (2): 115–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, S. (1974) ‘International transmission of information and the business firm’, The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 412: 55–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casson, M. (2000) The Economics of International Business, Edward Elgar: Cheltenham.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cavusgil, S.T. (1984) ‘Differences among exporting firms based on their degree of internationalization’, Journal of Business Research 12: 195–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chandler, G.N. and Hanks, S.H. (1994) ‘Founder competence, the environment, and venture performance’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 18 (3): 77–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chell, E. (2001) Entrepreneurship: Globalisation, Innovation and Development, Thomson Learning: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chrisman, J.J., Bauerschmidt, A. and Hofer, C.W. (1999) ‘The determinants of new venture performance’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 22 (1): 5–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, A.C. (1993) ‘Challenges in predicting new firm performance’, Journal of Business Venturing 8 (3): 241–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, A.C., Gimeno-Gascon, F.J. and Woo, C.Y. (1994) ‘Initial human and financial capital predictors of new venture performance’, Journal of Business Venturing 9 (5): 371–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and Jones, M.V. (2004) ‘Methodological issues in international entrepreneurship research’, Journal of Business Venturing 19 (4): 485–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and McAuley, A. (1999) ‘Internationalisation and the smaller firm: a review of contemporary empirical research’, Management International Review 39 (3): 223–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and Munro, H.J. (1995) ‘Growing the entrepreneurial firm: networking for international market development’, European Journal of Marketing 29 (7): 49–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coviello, N.E. and Munro, H.J. (1997) ‘Network relationships and the internationalisation process of small software firms’, International Business Review 6 (4): 361–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covin, J.G. and Slevin, D.P. (1989) ‘Strategic management of small firms in hostile and benign environments’, Strategic Management Journal 10 (1): 75–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covin, J.G. and Slevin, D.P. (1990) ‘New venture strategic posture, structure and performance: an industry life cycle analysis’, Journal of Business Venturing 5 (2): 123–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covin, J.G. and Slevin, D.P. (1991) ‘A conceptual model of entrepreneurship as firm behavior’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 16 (1): 7–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dana, L.P., Etemad, H. and Wright, R.W. (1999) ‘Theoretical Foundations of International Entrepreneurship’, in R.W. Wright (ed.) Research in Global Strategic Management, vol. 7. JAI Press: Stamford, CT, pp. 3–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhardt, K.M. and Martin, J.A. (2000) ‘Dynamic capabilities: what are they? Strategic Management Journal 21: 1105–1121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekeledo, I. and Sivakumar, K. (1998) ‘Foreign market entry mode choice of service firms: a contingency perspective’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 26 (4): 274–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, P. (2000) ‘Social ties and foreign market entry’, Journal of International Business Studies 31 (3): 443–469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erramilli, M.K. (1989) ‘Entry mode choice in service industries’, International Marketing Review 7 (5): 50–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greene, P.G. and Brown, T.E. (1997) ‘Resource needs and the dynamic capitalism typology’, Journal of Business Venturing 12 (3): 161–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M., Griffith, D. and Novicevic, M. (2000) ‘Development of timescapes to effectively manage global interorganizational relational communications’, European Management Journal 18 (6): 646–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C.W.L., Hwang, P. and Kim, W.C. (1990) ‘Global strategy and multinationals’ entry mode choice’, Journal of International Business Studies 23 (1): 29–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hock, D. (1999) Birth of the Chaordic Age, Berett-Koehler: San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurmerinta-Peltomäki, L. (2003) ‘Time and internationalisation: theoretical challenges set by rapid internationalisation’, Journal of International Entrepreneurship 1 (2): 217–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibeh, K. (2003) ‘Toward a contingency framework of export entrepreneurship: conceptualizations and empirical evidence’, Small Business Economics 20 (1): 49–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarillo, J.C. (1989) ‘Entrepreneurship and growth: the strategic use of external resources’, Journal of Business Venturing 4: 133–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Mattsson, L.-G. (1988) ‘Internationalisation in Industrial Systems: A Network Approach’, in P.J. Buckley and P. Ghauri (eds.) The Internationalization of the Firm: A Reader, Academic Press: London, pp. 303–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Vahlne, J.-E. (1977) ‘The internationalization process of the firm: a model of knowledge development and increasing foreign commitment’, Journal of International Business Studies 8: 23–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Vahlne, J.-E. (1990) ‘The mechanism of internationalisation’, International Marketing Review 7 (4): 11–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Vahlne, J.-E. (2003) ‘Business relationship learning and commitment in the internationalisation process’, Journal of International Entrepreneurship 1 (1): 83–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, J. and Wiedersheim-Paul, F. (1975) ‘The internationalisation of the firm: four Swedish case studies’, Journal of Management Studies 12 (3): 305–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, V.K., Alahuta, M. and Jeannet, J.-P. (1992) ‘Challenging the incumbents: how high technology start-ups compete globally’, Journal of Strategic Change 1: 71–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M.V. (1999) ‘The internationalization of small high technology firms’, Journal of International Marketing 7 (4): 15–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M.V. (2001) ‘First steps in internationalisation: concepts and evidence from a sample of small high technology firms’, Journal of International Management 7 (3): 191–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kast, F.E. and Rosenzweig, J.E. (1974) Organization and Management: A Systems Approach, McGraw-Hill: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G.A. and Cavusgil, S.T. (2004) ‘Innovation, organizational capabilities, and the born-global firm’, Journal of International Business Studies 35 (2): 124–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kogut, B. and Singh, H. (1988) ‘The effect of national culture on the choice of entry mode’, Journal of International Business Studies 19 (3): 411–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuemmerle, W. (2002) ‘Home base and knowledge management in international ventures’, Journal of Business Venturing 17: 99–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kundu, S.K. and Katz, J.H. (2003) ‘Born international SMEs: bi-level impacts of resources and intentions’, Small Business Economics 20 (1): 25–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kutschker, M., Baurle, I. and Schmid, S. (1997) ‘International evolution, international episodes, and international epochs: implications for managing internationalization’, Management International Review 37 (Special Issue 2): 101–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonidou, L.C., Katsikeas, C.S. and Piercy, N.F. (1998) ‘Identifying managerial influences on exporting: past research and future directions’, Journal of International Marketing 6 (2): 74–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J.W. and Beamish, P.W. (2001) ‘The internationalization and performance of SMEs’, Strategic Management Journal 22 (6/7): 565–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lumpkin, G.T. and Dess, G.G. (1996) ‘Clarifying the entrepreneurial orientation construct and linking it to performance’, Academy of Management Review 21 (1): 135–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luostarinen, R. (1980) The Internationalization of the Firm, Helsinki School of Economics: Helsinki.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luostarinen, R., Korhonen, H., Jokinen, J. and Pelkonen, T. (1994) Globalisation and SME, Ministry of Trade and Industry: Helsinki.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, T.K. and Servais, P. (1997) ‘The Internationalization of born globals: an evolutionary process? International Business Review 6 (6): 561–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, P.P. (1989) ‘International vs domestic entrepreneurship: new venture strategic behavior and industry structure’, Journal of Business Venturing 4: 387–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, P.P. and Oviatt, B.M. (2000) ‘International entrepreneurship: the intersection of two research paths’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (5): 902–906.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, P.P., Shane, S. and Oviatt, B.M. (1994) ‘Explaining the formation of international new ventures: the limits of theories from international business research’, Journal of Business Venturing 9: 469–487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNaughton, R.B. (2000) ‘Determinants of time-span to foreign market entry’, Journal of Euromarketing 9 (2): 99–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. (1983) ‘The correlates of entrepreneurship in three types of firms’, Management Science 29: 770–791.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M.H., Kuratko, D.F. and Schindehutte, M. (2001) ‘Towards integration: understanding entrepreneurship through frameworks’, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2 (1): 35–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofori-Dankwa, J. and Julian, S.D. (2001) ‘Complexifying organizational theory: illustrations using time research’, Academy of Management Review 26 (3): 415–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, B.M. and McDougall, P.P. (1994) ‘Toward a theory of international new ventures’, Journal of International Business Studies 25 (1): 45–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, B.M. and McDougall, P.P. (1997) ‘Challenges for internationalization process theory: the case of international new ventures’, Management International Review 37 (2): 85–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan, Y. and Tse, D. (2000) ‘The hierarchical model of market entry modes’, Journal of International Business Studies 31 (4): 535–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M.Q. (2002) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, Sage: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preece, S.B., Miles, G. and Baetz, M.C. (1998) ‘Explaining the international intensity and global diversity of early-stage technology based firms’, Journal of Business Venturing 14: 259–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rennie, M.W. (1993) ‘Global competitiveness: born global’, The McKinsey Quarterly 4: 45–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuber, A.R. and Fischer, E. (1997) ‘The influence of the management team's international experience on internationalization behavior’, Journal of International Business Studies 28 (4): 807–825.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reuber, A.R. and Fischer, E. (1999) ‘Understanding the consequences of founder's experience’, Journal of Small Business Management 37 (2): 30–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumpeter, J. (1934) The Theory of Economic Development, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shane, S. and Venkataraman, S. (2000) ‘The promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research’, Academy of Management Review 25 (1): 217–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrader, R.C., Oviatt, B.M. and McDougall, P.P. (2000) ‘How new ventures exploit trade-offs among international risk factors: lessons for the accelerated internationalization of the 21st century’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (6): 1227–1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, H.H. and Harmeling, S. (1990) ‘Entrepreneurial management's need for a more ‘chaotic’ theory’, Journal of Business Venturing 5 (1): 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ucbasaran, D., Westhead, P. and Wright, M. (2001) ‘The focus of entrepreneurial research: context, process and issues’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 25 (4): 57–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Ven, A.H. and Engleman, R.M. (2004) ‘Event- and outcome-driven explanations of entrepreneurship’, Journal of Business Venturing 19 (3): 343–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weick, K.E. (1999) ‘Theory construction as disciplined reflexivity: tradeoffs in the 90s’, Academy of Management Review 24 (4): 787–806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, L.S. and Luostarinen, R. (1988) ‘Internationalization: evolution of a concept’, Journal of General Management 14 (2): 34–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westhead, P., Wright, M. and Ucbasaran, D. (2001) ‘The internationalisation of new and small firms: a resource-based view’, Journal of Business Venturing 16: 333–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiklund, J. (1999) ‘The sustainability of the entrepreneurial orientation-performance relationship’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 24 (1): 37–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R.W. and Ricks, D.A. (1994) ‘Trends in international business research: twenty five years later’, Journal of International Business Studies 25 (4): 687–701.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeoh, P.-L. and Jeong, I. (1995) ‘Contingency relationships between export, channel structure and environment: a proposed conceptual model of export performance’, European Journal of Marketing 29 (8): 95–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yli-Renko, H., Autio, E. and Sapienza, H.J. (2001) ‘Social capital, knowledge acquisition, and knowledge exploitation in young technology-based firms’, Strategic Management Journal 22 (6/7): 587–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yli-Renko, H., Autio, E. and Tontti, V. (2002) ‘Social capital, knowledge and the international growth of technology-based new firms’, International Business Review 11: 279–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, S., Hammill, J., Wheeler, C. and Davies, J.R. (1989) International Market Entry and Development: Strategies and Management, Harvester Wheatsheaf: Hemel Hempstead.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A., Ireland, R.D. and Hitt, M.A. (2000) ‘International expansion by new venture firms: international diversity, mode of market entry, technological learning, and performance’, Academy of Management Journal 43 (5): 925–950.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A., Neubaum, D.O. and Huse, M. (1997) ‘The effect of the environment on export performance among telecommunications new ventures’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 22 (1): 25–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S.A., Nielsen, A.P. and Bogner, W.C. (1999) ‘Corporate entrepreneurs knowledge, and competence development’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 23 (3): 169–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zander, I. (1994) The Tortoise Evolution of the Multinational Corporation: Foreign Technological Activity in Swedish Multinational Firms 1890–1990, Institute of International Business, Stockholm School of Economics: Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Michael Mayer, Ben Oviatt, two JIBS reviewers and Arie Lewin, JIBS Editor-in-Chief, for their comments on this work. We are also grateful to conference participants at the Third Biennial McGill Conference on International Entrepreneurship and the 2002 Conference of the Australia–New Zealand International Business Academy.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole E Coviello.

Additional information

Accepted by Arie Lewin, Editor in Chief, 18 October 2004. This paper has been with the author for two revisions.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jones, M., Coviello, N. Internationalisation: conceptualising an entrepreneurial process of behaviour in time. J Int Bus Stud 36, 284–303 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400138

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400138

Keywords

Navigation