Title: Born Globals' foreign market channel strategies

Authors: Svante Andersson, Jonas Gabrielsson, Ingemar Wictor

Addresses: SIRE/Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. ' CIRCLE, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. ' SIRE/Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden

Abstract: Foreign entry mode choices are decisions of paramount importance for the long-term survival and growth of companies that are in a process of rapid international expansion. In this paper we seek to understand the foreign market channel strategies of Born Globals. We examine whether these companies develop a similar strategy regarding foreign entry mode choices and whether their market channel strategies differ from contemporary theories treating this problem. A comparative case study conducted on four companies meeting the criteria of Born Globals suggests that they do not show a common foreign entry mode. Instead, the companies seem to have very different market channel strategies even if they all have internationalised very rapidly. These findings are discussed against the current range of theoretical models that seek to explain the companies| foreign entry mode choice. We conclude the paper with some implications and suggestions for future research.

Keywords: born globals; foreign entry mode; international expansion; market channel strategies; globalisation; small business; market entry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2006.012185

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.356 - 373

Published online: 27 Jan 2007 *

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