Title: Born global family firms: a multiple case study

Authors: Barbara Francioni; Fabio Musso; Giorgia Masili

Addresses: Department of Communication Sciences, Humanities and International Studies: Cultures, Languages, Literatures, Arts, Media, Carlo Bo University of Urbino, Via Saffi, 15 – 61029 Urbino, Italy ' Department of Economics, Society and Politics, Carlo Bo University of Urbino, Via Saffi, 42 – 61029 Urbino, Italy ' Department of Economics, Society and Politics, Carlo Bo University of Urbino, Via Saffi, 42 – 61029 Urbino, Italy

Abstract: The principal aim of this study is to examine the factors that most influence the internationalisation process of born global family firms. To achieve this goal, we considered two main frameworks adopted in previous literature, which analysed specific factors and characteristics. Then, through a multiple case study, we verified if these factors and characteristics can enable or limit the internationalisation process of born global family firms. Our findings provided a significant confirmation for many of the factors considered, especially those related to the characteristics of top management. However, with reference to the analysis schemes adopted, not all the factors and characteristics considered resulted to be significant. Moreover, the proposed classifications did not prove to be completely suitable for interpreting the phenomena analysed. For this reason, a new framework, which summarises and reorganises the characteristics and factors to be analysed, has been developed.

Keywords: born global; family firms; internationalisation; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2021.118679

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2021 Vol.29 No.3, pp.329 - 353

Received: 31 Mar 2018
Accepted: 02 May 2019
Published online: 03 Nov 2021 *

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