Article: The evolutionary network process of international entrepreneurial firms Journal: International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business (IJGSB) 2009 Vol.3 No.3 pp.346 - 370 Abstract: This study discusses the evolution of networks and some of their characteristics during the internationalisation process of International Entrepreneurial Firms (IEFs). After a brief review of the importance of networks in the entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship literature, a model is presented showing how the network can evolve and play a vital role as a vehicle for starting and growing IEFs. The proposed model lays the foundation for research on enhancing our understanding of the networking and internationalisation of entrepreneurial firms. The model describes how, in the start-up phase of internationalisation, and in order to enter new foreign countries and new international markets, the entrepreneur identifies international opportunities through the |social| network and, hence, he/she accesses critical resources, including knowledge. In the ongoing phase of internationalisation, the entrepreneurial firm may form an interfirm cooperation. The latter may take the form of strategic alliances or other cooperative strategies; and when the network relations are typically dense, cooperative rather than competitive, an |interorganisational| network will be created. The paper concludes with plans for some future research and recognises an overlap between the |interorganisational| and |social| networks, which together may participate in reducing the cost and risk of internationalisation of IEFs. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The evolutionary network process of international entrepreneurial firms

Authors: Diala Kabbara

Addresses: Faculty of Management, University of Pavia, Via San Felice N 5, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Abstract: This study discusses the evolution of networks and some of their characteristics during the internationalisation process of International Entrepreneurial Firms (IEFs). After a brief review of the importance of networks in the entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship literature, a model is presented showing how the network can evolve and play a vital role as a vehicle for starting and growing IEFs. The proposed model lays the foundation for research on enhancing our understanding of the networking and internationalisation of entrepreneurial firms. The model describes how, in the start-up phase of internationalisation, and in order to enter new foreign countries and new international markets, the entrepreneur identifies international opportunities through the |social| network and, hence, he/she accesses critical resources, including knowledge. In the ongoing phase of internationalisation, the entrepreneurial firm may form an interfirm cooperation. The latter may take the form of strategic alliances or other cooperative strategies; and when the network relations are typically dense, cooperative rather than competitive, an |interorganisational| network will be created. The paper concludes with plans for some future research and recognises an overlap between the |interorganisational| and |social| networks, which together may participate in reducing the cost and risk of internationalisation of IEFs.

Keywords: network evolution; interorganisational networks; social networks; internationalisation; small firms; entrepreneurship; globalisation; interfirm cooperation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2009.024576

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2009 Vol.3 No.3, pp.346 - 370

Published online: 10 Apr 2009 *

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Title: The evolutionary network process of international entrepreneurial firms

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