Title: Early internationalising firms: the age effect on entrepreneurial behaviour

Authors: Jurgita Sekliuckiene; Alessia Pisoni; Alberto Onetti; Giusy Cannone; Agne Matiusinaite

Addresses: Department of Strategic Management, Kaunas University of Technology, Gedimino str. 50, LT-44239 Kaunas, Lithuania ' Department of Economics, University of Insubria, Via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese VA, Italy ' Department of Economics, University of Insubria, Via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese VA, Italy ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino TO, Italy ' Department of Strategic Management, Kaunas University of Technology, Gedimino str. 50, LT-44239 Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract: The article analyses the age related drivers, which influence young entrepreneurs' behaviour in early internationalising firms in two countries: Lithuania and Italy. Based on a multiple case studies approach, the study provides important insights into the young entrepreneurship stream of research by examining the phenomenon of born global under the lenses of entrepreneur's age. Lots of similarities emerge between young entrepreneurs in early internationalising firms from Lithuania and Italy. Findings suggest that almost all entrepreneurs tend to improve the visibility of the company by participating in national and international start-up contests. These are to be considered, along with the development of young entrepreneurs' professional bridging networks, as key drivers for acquiring capital and necessary connections for company's early internationalisation.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; born global; early internationalisation; young entrepreneurs; high-tech companies; Lithuania; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2017.086344

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.13 No.5/6, pp.707 - 733

Received: 30 Nov 2015
Accepted: 02 Jun 2016
Published online: 04 Sep 2017 *

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