Growth Characteristics of Swedish Based Born Globals, Influential Factors and Critical Decision Points

Abstract

This thesis was written with the objective to follow the development of Born Global research, with a specific focus on the growth stages, influential factors, critical decision points and common characteristics of Swedish-based Born Globals. The purpose was to outline the nature of the case companies studied and to generalize the characteristics of Swedish-based Born Globals, which are influenced by various antecedents. These antecedents were subsequently studied in parallel with the Born Global growth stage model. Based on the theory a theoretical framework was designed to answer to the research questions and formulated propositions of the study. In the empirical part of the thesis the framework was tested through a holistic multiple case study of four Swedish-based Born Globals.

The majority of the theoretical propositions received support from the case study, which confirmed that the Swedish-based Born Global evolves through four growth stages. The progression, however, was at times interrupted due to retrenchment. The antecedents tested proved to have an influence on the growth path of the cases along with the manner in which challenges and critical decision points were handled. Strong entrepreneurial orientation in the initial stages of growth was revealed, whereas the implementation and communication of values seemed to dominate in the latter stages of growth as a tool of empowerment of employees and the creation of firm culture. The amount of financial resources received was proven to have a positive relation to growth when sufficient but negative when excessive. Several distinct characteristics were revealed of the Swedish-based Born Global, including the perception of being market creators, the implementation of soft management and organizational simplicity and flexibility.