Title: International entrepreneurship in emerging economies: the role of social capital, knowledge development and entrepreneurial actions

Authors: Vincenzo Pisano, R. Duane Ireland, Michael A. Hitt, Justin W. Webb

Addresses: University of Catania, Via del Canalicchio 9, Tremestieri Etneo (CT) 95030, Italy. ' Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843–4221 TX, USA. ' Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843–4221 TX, USA. ' Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843–4221 TX, USA

Abstract: Increasingly, emerging economies are surfacing value-creating entrepreneurial opportunities for firms committed to entrepreneurship as a path to firm growth. However, these opportunities are recognised and exploited only when the firm entrepreneurially manages its resources. Herein, we adopt a contextual approach and integrate resource-based theory, organisational learning theory, social capital theory and strategic entrepreneurship in order to present a theoretical analysis of the means firms employ to create and exploit competitive advantages in emerging economies. We emphasise strategic alliances as the most suitable entry mode for a foreign firm to use to enter an emerging economy successfully. In addition, we use social capital theory to describe the actions the partners of an alliance (a foreign firm and a local emerging economy firm) take to develop a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship and to establish an effective, continuous learning process.

Keywords: strategic alliances; international entrepreneurship; emerging economies; social capital; knowledge development; organisational learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2007.012427

International Journal of Technology Management, 2007 Vol.38 No.1/2, pp.11 - 28

Published online: 13 Feb 2007 *

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