Svante Andersson

The Internationalization of the Firm from an Entrepreneurial Perspective

Abstract There are two dominant views in international business research: the economic and the process view. In this study it is shown that these views give us some insight into the complex phenomenon of the internationalization of the firm. However, our understanding of various international behaviors in the firm’s first international ventures as well as of radical strategic changes is enhanced by an analysis focusing on entrepreneurs. Such a conceptual framework is used to analyze this study’s cases. New concepts are developed: the marketing entrepreneur who implements an international push strategy; the technical entrepreneur who implements a strategy focusing on technical development, creating an international pull strategy; and the structure entrepreneur who implements an international restructuring of an industry.

Innovative Internationalisation in New firms : Born Globals–the Swedish Case

During the past few years, the phenomenon of Born Globals has been highlighted in many studies. Such firms adopt a global approach right from their inception or very shortly thereafter. This behaviour challenges the traditional internationalisation models of slow and gradual development with respect to geographical markets and market entry modes. In this paper a conceptual framework is developed from earlier research and includes the factors: globalisation, entrepreneurs, networks, and industry. A survey showed that Born Globals were still very uncommon in Sweden. However, four Born Global firms were identified and analysed with the framework. It was concluded that the ongoing globalisation has made it easier to conduct Born Global strategies. However, active entrepreneurs, who recognised the global opportunities, were crucial for the implementation of these strategies, in which personal networks were used as tools.

International entrepreneurship, born globals and the theory of effectuation

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to enhance the understanding of a born global firm’s earlyinternationalization process and the entrepreneur’s decisions regarding internationalization by using ...

The entrepreneur in the Born Global firm in Australia and Sweden

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to identify and analyse the common characteristics and behaviour of entrepreneurs that affect the establishment of Born Global firms. The differences betwe ...

Stakeholders and Marketing Capabilities in International New Ventures: Evidence from Ireland, Sweden and Denmark

Few studies have examined the dynamic capabilities perspective in the context of international new ventures (INVs) and, in particular, toward their marketing activities. Using a cross-country case approach, this article explores the role of stakeholders in the marketing capability–building processes of INVs in Ireland, Sweden, and Denmark. The study reveals that different stakeholders play a critical role in influencing how INVs build their marketing capabilities to respond effectively to the dynamic nature of international markets in which they operate. The results show that different stakeholder groups (allied, cooperative, neutral, and entrepreneur) can influence the learning processes (single-, double-, and triple-loop) of the firm and can determine the nature of dynamic marketing capabilities (incremental, renewing, and regenerative) needed to create and sustain international competitive advantage. Furthermore, “effectuation logic” can explain how entrepreneurs manage and leverage stakeholder relationships in marketing capability processes to cocreate value for the firm. By incorporating dynamic capabilities, stakeholder, and learning theories, this study offers a dynamic, process-oriented model for INV research and provides much-needed qualitative insights into the dynamic capabilities theory of the firm.

Violent advertising in fashion marketing

In this study, violent advertising is discussed. An empirical study, using picture analysis, is carried out. The intent of the advertisers’ message is compared with the interpretation of a male and a female consumer group. It is concluded that the consumers’ interpretations not are the ones that the advertisers had intended. The violence was interpreted in a much more negative way than expected. It is also concluded that there are differences in interpretations between men and women.

High‐growth firms in the Swedish ERP industry

This paper analyses growth patterns in three high‐growth Swedish firms (Intentia, IBS, and in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) industry. A multi‐theoretical framework is developed and used to analyse the firms’ growth. It is concluded that growth is a complex phenomenon that has to be viewed from different theoretical angles to be understood. It is shown that entrepreneurs’ intentions, international growth strategies, organic organisations, industry structure and networks, and national cultures are all factors that influence firms’ growth.

Suppliers' international strategies

A longitudinal study of the international behaviour of Swedish suppliers is presented. Three different types of supplier are identified: simple suppliers, advanced suppliers, and own product suppliers. Factors influencing the internationalisation of these suppliers are discussed. It is concluded that the firms’ offer and the customers’ buying strategies influence the firms’ international behaviour. However, these factors do not determine the international strategies completely. Various entrepreneurs will choose various strategies. Three different types of entrepreneurs are identified: the marketing, technical, and structural entrepreneurs. The type of entrepreneur influences the firms’ international strategies in different directions.

International new ventures: rapid internationalization across different industry contexts

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to, first, offer insights into the relationship between industry idiosyncrasies and international new ventures (INVs), and then present a research conceptual framework that identifies the role of industry factors in new venture internationalization processes and strategies. Second, the authors introduce the content of this special issue. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual article builds on extant studies on INVs operating in different industrial contexts. Particular attention is given to the role of industry influences in the processes of new venture internationalization, in terms of speed, geographical scope and entry strategy. Such factors are discussed to formulate a conceptual framework as a basis for further research. Findings – The conceptual framework identifies key industry factors as well as emergent factors that influence the new venture internationalization process, in terms of speed, geographical scope and entry strategy. Such key influencing...

The influence of the entrepreneur’s background on the behaviour and development of born globals’ internationalisation processes

While much of the research on small firm internationalization has concentrated on export strategies, little attention has been paid to understand the process and conditions under which the entrepre ...