Entrepreneurial Level Factors of Early Internationalization: A Cross Country Comparison

Jurgita Sekliuckiene; Mirosław Jarosiński; Miklós Kozma

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.30.2.21185

Authors

Jurgita Sekliuckiene Kaunas University of Technology
Mirosław Jarosiński Warsaw School of Economics
Miklós Kozma Corvinus University of Budapest

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.30.2.21185

Keywords:

International New Ventures, Early internationalization, Transition economy, CEE, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland

Abstract

This paper provides new knowledge by applying the concept of international entrepreneurship to early internationalizing firms. This study explores the entrepreneurial level factors of success at the startup stage of international new ventures (INVs) in the context of three Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in transition: Hungary, Lithuania and Poland. Based on multiple case study approach, the study provides important scientific insights into the international entrepreneurship theory by examining the still underexplored transition in CEE countries’ context. Lots of similarities emerge between INVs in three CEE countries, however their cultural and historical backgrounds are different enough to justify scholarly interest in potential idiosyncratic features. Findings suggest that there is significant diversity in the entrepreneurial level factors behind the early success of local INVs in international markets across these countries, especially in terms of direct foreign market experience, entrepreneurial orientation and existing network membership. Nevertheless, the findings reveal that in the sample focused on ITC businesses, solid industry experience of the founders proved to be key in the success of INVs’ internationalisation.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.30.2.21185

Author Biographies

Jurgita Sekliuckiene, Kaunas University of Technology

Jurgita Sekliuckiene is a Professor of International Business at the Kaunas University of Technology. She holds a PhD from the Kaunas University of Technology in Management and Business Administration. Her research interests are in the area of internationalisation, international entrepreneurship and innovation, strategic management, with a special interest in transition market INVs and multinationals. She is the author and co-author of conference contributions, over 40 peer-reviewed publications, and several books and monograph chapters in the field of international business, service business and emerging markets.

Mirosław Jarosiński, Warsaw School of Economics

Mirosław Jarosiński is an Associate Professor and the Head of International Strategies Unit in the Institute of Management at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Poland. He holds a PhD degree in Management from SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Poland (2002). His research focuses on internationalisation of firms with special attention to International New Ventures and Born Globals from emerging markets. He is the author and co-author of conference contributions, about 30 peer-reviewed publications, and 25 books and monograph chapters in the field of strategic management and international business.

Miklós Kozma, Corvinus University of Budapest

Miklos Kozma is a senior assistant professor at Corvinus Business School, Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary. His PhD dissertation at Corvinus Business School was about Public-Private Partnership projects in a number of industries in Hungary. His key research areas include International New Ventures in the Central-Eastern-European region, as well as international business strategies, with particular attention to the IT and sport industries. He has over 15 years of strategic and financial advisory experience working for Big4 advisory firms, including M&A advisory of SMEs in the region.