Title: Start-up, growth and internationalisation of entrepreneurial ventures by the use of service families

Authors: Shamshubaridah Ramlee, Khairul Akmaliah Adham, Mohd Fuaad Said, Sascha Kraus, Seppo Hanninen

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' University of Liechtenstein, Furst-Franz-Josef-Strasse, FL-9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein. ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Helsinki University of Technology, 02015 TKK, Finland

Abstract: This article uses a single case study methodology that draws from the process-based life cycle models of (a) product development (b) product family development and (c) new venture development. It analyses e-Pay Asia|s efforts to pioneer an electronic prepaid airtime reload delivery system and subsequently develop it into a comprehensive payment service family. This research resulted in the identification of close linkages between new services development and service family extension, especially as they regard internationalisation and new venture development. Both new service development/extension and internationalisation contributed to the development and rapid growth of the case company, thereby confirming the Uppsala model of internationalisation.

Keywords: business start-ups; growth; internationalisation; entrepreneurial ventures; service families; entrepreneurship; new ventures; new services development; service family extension.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2010.029704

International Journal of Management Practice, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.76 - 94

Published online: 01 Dec 2009 *

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