Title: The internationalisation of new technology-based firms from emerging markets

Authors: Fernanda Ribeiro Cahen; Moacir De Miranda Oliveira Jr.; Felipe Mendes Borini

Addresses: School of Industrial Engineering, Centro Universitario da FEI, Rua Tamandare, 688 – 01525-000, São Paulo, Brazil ' University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 908 Sala E-196, 05508010, São Paulo, Brazil ' ESPM, Rua Alvaro Alvim, 123, Vila Mariana, 04018-010, São Paulo/SP, Brazil; University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 908 Sala H-145, 05508010, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: This paper offers an analysis of the factors influencing the accelerated internationalisation of new technology-based firms (NTBFs) from emerging economies. This type of firm is typically called 'born global', and they have been reported primarily in high-tech sectors. Existing international business (IB) theories have focused consistently on NTBFs from developed countries, however NTBFs from emerging markets remain under-studied. A survey was applied to small Brazilian NTBFs. The results indicate that NTBFs that have an entrepreneur, or a group of executives with international management skills, are more likely to have an accelerated internationalisation. In contrast to previous research in the field, the results demonstrate that NTBFs that take more than five years to enter the international market capitalise on their competence for innovation and abilities in international marketing, in the internationalisation process. Therefore, this research contributes new perspectives on studies on NTBFs from emerging markets.

Keywords: technology-based firms; emerging economies; small and medium firms; born globals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2017.083607

International Journal of Technology Management, 2017 Vol.74 No.1/2/3/4, pp.23 - 44

Accepted: 05 Sep 2015
Published online: 12 Apr 2017 *

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