Title: Uncovering new value frontiers: the role of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in nurturing born globals

Authors: Hannes Velt; Lasse Torkkeli; Sami Saarenketo

Addresses: School of Business and Management, LUT University, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business and Management, LUT University, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business and Management, LUT University, Skinnarilankatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: The concept of the entrepreneurial ecosystem has recently gained renewed attention in the international business and entrepreneurship fields, focusing specifically on investigating the role of entrepreneurial environments in driving growth and internationalisation of new firms. This is an important theme to address, as the strengths and weaknesses of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem directly affect the international success and survival of new ventures. In this exploratory study, we assess the entrepreneurial ecosystems from the point of view of born globals and do so comparatively across two countries: Finland and Estonia. Through a survey method and data analysis with STATA and t tests, this study contributes to the literature on international entrepreneurship by 1) outlining the entrepreneurial ecosystem elements that are the most and least critical for the development of born globals and 2) comparing the performance of ecosystems between different countries as seen by born global firms. Therefore, the study helps in applying a neglected concept and level of analysis to the international entrepreneurship research arena.

Keywords: entrepreneurial ecosystem; born globals; start-ups; venture capital; knowledge; networks; Finland; Estonia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEXPORTM.2018.099168

International Journal of Export Marketing, 2018 Vol.2 No.4, pp.316 - 342

Received: 13 Oct 2018
Accepted: 15 Jan 2019
Published online: 16 Apr 2019 *

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