Problem - A new kind of companies was identified twenty years ago, the BornGlobals (BGs).Those companies tend to go abroad in a very early stage, sometimesright after their inception. Although the Western literature has showed much progressin studying this phenomenon and developing many theories, its Chinese counterparthas not been developed in the same degree. Meanwhile, due to the limitation ofliterature translation and different process of knowledge accumulation, the emergenceof the Chinese BGs raises many questions about its reasons, drive factors andformation mechanism. Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the new phenomenon of BGs inChinese firms, increase a better understanding of relevant theories, and investigate thekey factors of Chinese BGs' emergence. Design - The paper draws on previous studies on Western perspective of BGs. Inorder to be less influenced by Western theories, an inductive approach is used formultiple case study of two Chinese companies. Semi structured interviews wereconducted with the representative from each company through telephone and CMCinterviews. Findings - The main reason of Chinese BGs internationalize very early is to becomedeveloped and strong, so that they can re-enter their domestic market. Their truevision is to go abroad and begin to operate in a less hostile environment than the onein China. Education, prior knowledge, technology and networks were found to be ofsimilar great importance as in the western literature. On the other hand, their growth isalso facilitated by the low costs that exist in China. In the global market, they haveaccess to materials and human resources to allow them to have a competitiveadvantage. At the end, the model representing our findings is developed. Practical implications - This study provides the information on how the founders ofBGs think and act, and which traits characterize them and give a better view on whythese firms became BGs and how they will continue their expansion. As well as, helpmanagers to understand how Chinese BGs will proceed and let them be able to actproactively. Originality/value - The findings of study may develop the BG literature, especially inthe area of China, and confirm or challenge other existing theories. The paperconfirmed the western literature in many points, but also provided new informationabout the vision of these companies in China.

<p>This dissertation sets out to explore the phenomenon of Born Globals, a small, international entrepreneurial firm. The study aims at exploring how the entrepreneur perceives the factors that influence the creation of a Born Global. This topic has been chosen since little research has been carried out in order to investigate what the entrepreneurs find important in the creation of a Born Global. This fact has been the basis in developing our study’s aim to investigate the factors’ relative importance. </p><p>The first step in the investigation is the literature review which is carried out in order to gain significant knowledge about the phenomenon before collecting empirical data of our own, the deductive approach. The literature review revolves around the conceptual framework created by Andersson & Wictor (2003), which has been used to summarise other findings by other authors into the four subcategories that our found to facilitate the creation of a Born Global. In addition to these factors we have found that nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages, as well as entry modes are feasible facilitators to discuss further.</p><p>When considering methodology a qualitative design has been found the most suitable. The approach used is influenced by Phenomenography which aims to describe people’s perceptions and experiences of different phenomena. In order to investigate this phenomenon we have used open interviews with two different entrepreneurs that were found through careful sampling. The companies chosen are located on two different continents and in two different businesses.</p><p>The interviews have been transcribed and categorised and the empirical data have been divided into the same categories used in the literature review. This has been done in order to make it easier to read but also easier to analyse. After the summary of the empirical data we have conducted a cross analysis. In analysing the data we have looked for similarities and differences in order to draw conclusions regarding the issues set out to investigate. </p><p>The empirical results and the analysis revolve around the six areas outlined in the theory, i.e. Globalisation, Entrepreneur, Networks, Industry, Entry Modes, and A fit between nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages. The two entrepreneurs consider the same factors to have had the biggest influence for the biggest part. However they disagree regarding the importance of Networks and Market Entry. These factors have both had an impact on the companies but their relative importance is disputed. </p><p>We would like to stress that the investigated attitudes are subjective. It is the interviewees’ attitudes and opinions the study has been aiming at investigating and therefore it is important to identify the individual as a factor when discussing the investigation’s credibility. It is rather unlikely that we would have reached the same conclusions with different interviewees but since it is attitudes that have been investigated it is only natural and does therefore not clash with the purpose of the study.</p>

<p>This dissertation sets out to explore the phenomenon of Born Globals, a small, international entrepreneurial firm. The study aims at exploring how the entrepreneur perceives the factors that influence the creation of a Born Global. This topic has been chosen since little research has been carried out in order to investigate what the entrepreneurs find important in the creation of a Born Global. This fact has been the basis in developing our study’s aim to investigate the factors’ relative importance. </p><p>The first step in the investigation is the literature review which is carried out in order to gain significant knowledge about the phenomenon before collecting empirical data of our own, the deductive approach. The literature review revolves around the conceptual framework created by Andersson & Wictor (2003), which has been used to summarise other findings by other authors into the four subcategories that our found to facilitate the creation of a Born Global. In addition to these factors we have found that nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages, as well as entry modes are feasible facilitators to discuss further.</p><p>When considering methodology a qualitative design has been found the most suitable. The approach used is influenced by Phenomenography which aims to describe people’s perceptions and experiences of different phenomena. In order to investigate this phenomenon we have used open interviews with two different entrepreneurs that were found through careful sampling. The companies chosen are located on two different continents and in two different businesses.</p><p>The interviews have been transcribed and categorised and the empirical data have been divided into the same categories used in the literature review. This has been done in order to make it easier to read but also easier to analyse. After the summary of the empirical data we have conducted a cross analysis. In analysing the data we have looked for similarities and differences in order to draw conclusions regarding the issues set out to investigate. </p><p>The empirical results and the analysis revolve around the six areas outlined in the theory, i.e. Globalisation, Entrepreneur, Networks, Industry, Entry Modes, and A fit between nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages. The two entrepreneurs consider the same factors to have had the biggest influence for the biggest part. However they disagree regarding the importance of Networks and Market Entry. These factors have both had an impact on the companies but their relative importance is disputed. </p><p>We would like to stress that the investigated attitudes are subjective. It is the interviewees’ attitudes and opinions the study has been aiming at investigating and therefore it is important to identify the individual as a factor when discussing the investigation’s credibility. It is rather unlikely that we would have reached the same conclusions with different interviewees but since it is attitudes that have been investigated it is only natural and does therefore not clash with the purpose of the study.</p>

This dissertation sets out to explore the phenomenon of Born Globals, a small, international entrepreneurial firm. The study aims at exploring how the entrepreneur perceives the factors that influence the creation of a Born Global. This topic has been chosen since little research has been carried out in order to investigate what the entrepreneurs find important in the creation of a Born Global. This fact has been the basis in developing our study’s aim to investigate the factors’ relative importance. The first step in the investigation is the literature review which is carried out in order to gain significant knowledge about the phenomenon before collecting empirical data of our own, the deductive approach. The literature review revolves around the conceptual framework created by Andersson & Wictor (2003), which has been used to summarise other findings by other authors into the four subcategories that our found to facilitate the creation of a Born Global. In addition to these factors we have found that nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages, as well as entry modes are feasible facilitators to discuss further. When considering methodology a qualitative design has been found the most suitable. The approach used is influenced by Phenomenography which aims to describe people’s perceptions and experiences of different phenomena. In order to investigate this phenomenon we have used open interviews with two different entrepreneurs that were found through careful sampling. The companies chosen are located on two different continents and in two different businesses. The interviews have been transcribed and categorised and the empirical data have been divided into the same categories used in the literature review. This has been done in order to make it easier to read but also easier to analyse. After the summary of the empirical data we have conducted a cross analysis. In analysing the data we have looked for similarities and differences in order to draw conclusions regarding the issues set out to investigate. The empirical results and the analysis revolve around the six areas outlined in the theory, i.e. Globalisation, Entrepreneur, Networks, Industry, Entry Modes, and A fit between nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages. The two entrepreneurs consider the same factors to have had the biggest influence for the biggest part. However they disagree regarding the importance of Networks and Market Entry. These factors have both had an impact on the companies but their relative importance is disputed. We would like to stress that the investigated attitudes are subjective. It is the interviewees’ attitudes and opinions the study has been aiming at investigating and therefore it is important to identify the individual as a factor when discussing the investigation’s credibility. It is rather unlikely that we would have reached the same conclusions with different interviewees but since it is attitudes that have been investigated it is only natural and does therefore not clash with the purpose of the study.

This dissertation sets out to explore the phenomenon of Born Globals, a small, international entrepreneurial firm. The study aims at exploring how the entrepreneur perceives the factors that influence the creation of a Born Global. This topic has been chosen since little research has been carried out in order to investigate what the entrepreneurs find important in the creation of a Born Global. This fact has been the basis in developing our study’s aim to investigate the factors’ relative importance. The first step in the investigation is the literature review which is carried out in order to gain significant knowledge about the phenomenon before collecting empirical data of our own, the deductive approach. The literature review revolves around the conceptual framework created by Andersson & Wictor (2003), which has been used to summarise other findings by other authors into the four subcategories that our found to facilitate the creation of a Born Global. In addition to these factors we have found that nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages, as well as entry modes are feasible facilitators to discuss further. When considering methodology a qualitative design has been found the most suitable. The approach used is influenced by Phenomenography which aims to describe people’s perceptions and experiences of different phenomena. In order to investigate this phenomenon we have used open interviews with two different entrepreneurs that were found through careful sampling. The companies chosen are located on two different continents and in two different businesses. The interviews have been transcribed and categorised and the empirical data have been divided into the same categories used in the literature review. This has been done in order to make it easier to read but also easier to analyse. After the summary of the empirical data we have conducted a cross analysis. In analysing the data we have looked for similarities and differences in order to draw conclusions regarding the issues set out to investigate. The empirical results and the analysis revolve around the six areas outlined in the theory, i.e. Globalisation, Entrepreneur, Networks, Industry, Entry Modes, and A fit between nation specific characteristics and company specific advantages. The two entrepreneurs consider the same factors to have had the biggest influence for the biggest part. However they disagree regarding the importance of Networks and Market Entry. These factors have both had an impact on the companies but their relative importance is disputed. We would like to stress that the investigated attitudes are subjective. It is the interviewees’ attitudes and opinions the study has been aiming at investigating and therefore it is important to identify the individual as a factor when discussing the investigation’s credibility. It is rather unlikely that we would have reached the same conclusions with different interviewees but since it is attitudes that have been investigated it is only natural and does therefore not clash with the purpose of the study.

In previous research, it is stated that founders/top managers have an impact on the born global firms, meaning firms that become international directly from start or short time after establishment. The purpose of our thesis is to understand how the characteristics of founders/top managers and entrepreneurial orientation have an impact on the born global firm’s innovation and outcome. Based on foundations in earlier studies we identified a research gap that this thesis aims to fill. This thesis will contribute to the importance of a better understanding of how entrepreneurial orientation affects a born global firm’s innovation and outcome. Therefore, we outline the following research question; “How have the characteristics of the founder/top manager and entrepreneurial orientation an impact on the born global firm’s innovation and outcome?” In order to answer this question we review previous literature and construct a conceptual framework suitable for our study.      When it comes to methodology, we apply an abductive approach, meaning that we start with a deductive approach and create a conceptual framework. Then along the way we move more towards an inductive approach since we want to develop existing theories and address theory implications for further studies. We use a qualitative research design and in-depth multiple case studies in order to get a deeper understanding of our research topic.              Our empirical findings consist of three interviews with founders/top managers from three different born global firms in Umeå and Skellefteå. From these interviews, we conclude that all the three founders/top managers have an impact on the born global firm’s innovation and outcome. Consequently, we managed to perceive a link between the age of the firm and the level of entrepreneurial orientation. The implication was that the characteristics of the founder/top manager had a bigger impact on the youngest firm. The two other firms had more of a firm level behavior in terms of entrepreneurial orientation as they have been in operations for many years and have been established by two founders, unlike the younger firm. We could also find that number of founders, relations, brand image/position, and networking should be taken into consideration when it comes to characteristics of the founder/top manager and entrepreneurial orientation. The research gap we discovered within entrepreneurial orientation is complex and cannot be fully met by this thesis. As such, we recommend further research into this area. We suggest including employees from different departments within the born global firms when investigating the level of entrepreneurial orientation and how it affects innovation and outcome. / Centre for Inter-organizational Innovation Research

The past decade has seen a surge of interest in ‘born global’ firms which internationalise rapidly following their inception. While born global internationalisation paths are commonly associated with high tech firms, there has been some limited research suggesting that biotech ventures do not fit this model. My aim, therefore, was to contribute to international business research by investigating whether biotech firms internationalise as is suggested by born global scholars. Accordingly, my research focused on examining how the internationalisation of these small firms with radical innovations might best be explained. My research proceeded by means of a comparative case study of four Australian biotech companies, with their internationalisation histories forming the focal unit of analysis. The first contribution resulting from my cross-case analysis is to show that oversimplified measures of firm inception have led to ‘conceptual stretching’ of the born global category. This does not imply that born globals do not exist; rather; I argue that greater care needs to be applied when measuring inception. Ultimately, biotech firms do not fit easily into the born global category because the lengthy innovation process they undergo means they are likely to have strong pre-organisational roots extending far beyond their incorporation date. This pre-organisational history needs to be factored in because of its effects on firm internationalisation. My second contribution is to suggest a driver for internationalisation that to date has not been included in existing research into high tech firms: namely, the influence of the innovation process. The internationalisation decisions of the case firms could be explained to a large extent by the stage that their core technologies were at. The international partnerships that the firms signed were also very much affected by the uncertainties surrounding the intellectual property being exchanged. My contribution therefore lies in proposing that incorporating the innovation process can advance understanding of high tech internationalisation. I conclude by suggesting that theory development concerning high tech internationalisation should pursue further these linkages between innovation and internationalisation. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1349297 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, The Business School, 2008

<p>The purpose of this paper is to explore the internationalization process of Chinese Born Global SMEs and attempt to reveal the uniqueness. Base on the literature review and former studies, in this paper the Born Global SME internationalization process is assumed to depend upon the firms’ entrepreneurs’ experience, background and network; Product characteristics; Degree of Internationalization; Environment and Globalization.</p><p>In the study, a qualitative study was conducted in order to generating the understanding why and how Chinese Born Global company internationalization. </p><p>More specifically, the problem was investigated by using cases study and conducting in-depth interviews of key employees in four case enterprises. The case companies were selected from a pool of respondents to a survey, all of which are located in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China and founded in 1990s.</p><p>After analyzing the empirical data and comparing them with theories, the result demonstrates that Born Global SME is extremely international, and their internationalization process is totally different from the traditional internationalization theories. </p><p>The main conclusion of the study is Born Global SMEs growing rapidly in China, however, Chinese Born Global SMEs still on initial stage, OME mode is a wide used mode to enter international market by Chinese Born Global SMEs, at the end, some recommendations was also given.</p>

The purpose of this paper is to explore the internationalization process of Chinese Born Global SMEs and attempt to reveal the uniqueness. Base on the literature review and former studies, in this paper the Born Global SME internationalization process is assumed to depend upon the firms’ entrepreneurs’ experience, background and network; Product characteristics; Degree of Internationalization; Environment and Globalization. In the study, a qualitative study was conducted in order to generating the understanding why and how Chinese Born Global company internationalization. More specifically, the problem was investigated by using cases study and conducting in-depth interviews of key employees in four case enterprises. The case companies were selected from a pool of respondents to a survey, all of which are located in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China and founded in 1990s. After analyzing the empirical data and comparing them with theories, the result demonstrates that Born Global SME is extremely international, and their internationalization process is totally different from the traditional internationalization theories. The main conclusion of the study is Born Global SMEs growing rapidly in China, however, Chinese Born Global SMEs still on initial stage, OME mode is a wide used mode to enter international market by Chinese Born Global SMEs, at the end, some recommendations was also given.

The purpose with this thesis is to explain and explore how born global companies utilize important resources in the internationalization process. The globalized world that we live in today has increased the information sharing and new technologies have changed the way companies approach the international market. Evidence in previous literature has revealed that companies have a faster approach to the international market and tend to skip the incremental internationalization process that the traditional Uppsala internationalization model supports. These companies have instead been defined as born global companies that set up their activity targeting a market that is either global by nature or within a niche field that has a very limited potential on the domestic market. We have based on the existing literature of born global companies found a research gap that this thesis aims to fill, and that is to contribute with new understandings about which resources that are utilized during the internationalization process. In order to find an answer to this research gap, a research question was formed as follows: which resources are important for the born global company and how are resources utilized during the internationalization process? A framework has been created from the previous literature and we could see that much of the existing research was conducted on the born global company´s networks, knowledge and the lack of financial capital. We could moreover see that the characteristic of the founder was seen as important but that not much of the literature actually dealt with the importance of the resources at different stages in the internationalization process. In our methodology, we have used a point of departure in where the world is socially constructed and that every situation incorporates some elements of interpretive judgments. We have furthermore used an inductive approach and collected the data from qualitative case study interviews, in order to reveal new findings rather than to test existing theory. Our empirical data consists of findings from nine born global companies as well as three Incubator centers from the northern part of Sweden. The reason to include the Incubator centers in this thesis is to give the thesis a dimension of which resources experts within the field of start-ups companies believe are important for born global companies to possess in the internationalization process. All our companies are moreover located in the northern part of Sweden and can be seen as technology driven companies. The research reveals interesting findings about which resources that were utilized and when in the internationalization process resources were seen as important. The technological knowledge was found to be important early on in the internationalization process while competence of market and sales were seen as missing in the initial stage. The amount of financial capital was moreover often perceived as adequate in the early internationalization phase but inadequate in a later stage when the company wanted to expand and thus acquire more resources. Resources related to networks were seen as the most important resources and it tends to be personal networks early on in the internationalization process. These networks were seen as shifting more towards the company´s networks, as contacts with resellers, distributors as well as collaborations with partners were created during the internationalization process.