The role of international entrepreneurial orientation in the internationalization of born globals : A Case study of a Finnish firm

Abstract

International entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) and internationalization of born globals (BGs) has been an area of interest among scholars during the past decades. However, there is still very few amounts of qualitative research regarding IEO as a construct but also regarding the three individual dimensions; innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking and how they, together combined, but also individually effect the internationalization of BGs. Thus, given the research gap, the objective of this thesis is to determine the role that IEO plays in the internationalization of BGs. This is conducted by answering to the research question, which is the following; “What is the role of international entrepreneurial orientation and its dimensions in the process of creating successful internationalization of born globals?”. The theoretical part of this thesis is divided in three parts; theory regarding BGs and their internationalization, IEO as a concept and thirdly, these two themes combined. The data of this thesis, in turn, includes a semi-structured interview, where the CEO of the case study firm is interviewed. Thus, this thesis is a single case study and the case study is conducted with a Finnish BG firm eLive Ecosystems Oy. The results of this thesis indicate that IEO as a whole, but also, each dimension of IEO individually, has played a crucial role in the internationalization process of the case BG firm. In general, it was found that IEO positively affects the internationalization of BG firms and that IEO dimensions were an inevitable part of the internationalization. Specifically, the crucial role was highlighted from the aspect of innovativeness as it has been the key driver for the firm’s internationalization. In fact, innovativeness was found as the most significant causative factor and element in the internationalization of the case BG firm. All in all, this thesis underlines the important role of entrepreneurial orientation of the firm and the BG firm’s ability to recognize and utilize international opportunities by utilizing and developing innovative solutions.