Title: Transnational ties in technology-based sectors: the case of Indian software entrepreneurial firms in Italy

Authors: Marco Cucculelli; Gabriele Morettini

Addresses: Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics 'Giorgio Fuà' – Marche P. University, Piazzale Martelli, 8, 60100 Ancona, Italy. ' Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics 'Giorgio Fuà' – Marche P. University, Piazzale Martelli, 8, 60100 Ancona, Italy

Abstract: The paper aims to empirically analyse the differences present in transnational networking within the same ethnic group. Our study focuses on Indian software firms in Italy, a country where the standard variables defining the structural and agency conditions are weak: these permit to better appreciate the role and impact of ties on the performance of migrant firms. Using a unique, purposely built dataset, we show that firms rely on heterogeneous networks and are involved in different networking activities even when they operate within the same community or insist on the same business environment. This heterogeneity largely influences the role of cross-border ties. Transnational networking and cross-border ties can play very different roles in the competitive behaviour of firms, as they can represent the main asset, a complementary factor or even an accessory element of the business strategy.

Keywords: migrant entrepreneurship; cross-border ties; transnational networking; internationalisation; India; Italy; software; transnational ties; technology-based sectors; entrepreneurial firms; ethnic groups; standard variables; structural conditions; agency conditions; migrant firms; heterogeneous networks; networking activities; business environments; heterogeneity; competitive behaviour; main assets; complementary factors; accessory elements; business strategies; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship research; Europe.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2012.049580

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2012 Vol.17 No.3, pp.319 - 337

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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