Title: Early stages of technology-intensive companies in Thailand and Finland

Authors: Matti Muhos; Pekka Kess; Anyanitha Distanont; Kongkiti Phusavat; Sitthinath Sanpanich

Addresses: Micro-entrepreneurship Research Group, Oulu Southern Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, FI-85500 Nivala, Finland ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, Finland, P.O. Box 4610, FI-90014, Finland ' Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, University of Oulu, Finland, P.O. Box 4610, FI-90014, Finland ' International Program in Industrial Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Paholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand ' International Program in Industrial Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, 50 Paholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Abstract: Numerous stage models have attempted to clarify management priorities during the early stages of companies. However, a need for more focused and context-specific studies exists. This study seeks to clarify the early stages of technology-intensive companies in Thai and Finnish contexts. To summarise the research questions, the authors ask: What early stages do technology-intensive companies face based on recent empirical literature? How do the experiences of managers in early-stage technology-intensive companies relate to assumptions of such stage framework? What viewpoints should be considered when using stage framework in Thai and Finnish contexts? To answer these questions, this study devises a four-stage framework describing early stages of technology-intensive companies and reflects it through ten case studies in the two contexts. The framework was found to be applicable in both contexts; moreover, an analysis of context-specific viewpoints is also provided. It is necessary to recognise these viewpoints when using this framework in the Thai and Finnish contexts.

Keywords: early growth stages; stage models; growth process; management; Finland; Thailand; case study; sequential incident technique; SIT; technology-intensive firms; entrepreneurship; early stages; new ventures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2014.060031

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2014 Vol.7 No.2, pp.177 - 197

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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