Knowledge-based network ties in early rapidly internationalising small firms: a missing link?

MASANGO, Shingairai and MARINOVA, Svetla (2014). Knowledge-based network ties in early rapidly internationalising small firms: a missing link? International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 10 (3), 471-486.

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Abstract

This paper sets out to establish the sources of the relationships underpinning Early Rapidly Internationalising Small Firm (ERISF) cross border activities, the main characteristics and specific functions of these relationships, and their process of development. Using interview data from ten South African firms, the findings show that the founder's pre-firm knowledge pools are important in establishing the source of the initial hierarchical knowledge-based interpersonal ties. ERISF internationalisation is enabled by an initial prior interpersonal network tie set, which is composed of predominantly strong knowledge-based contacts. The ERISF acts as the source that provides the technical information and knowledge, which is then adopted by their network partners. This means that the ERISF's product and technological capabilities drive the international knowledge creation process. The findings provide a holistic characterisation of the concept of knowledge in ERISF internationalisation. Within their interorganisational relationships, ERISFs are involved in knowledge creation, knowledge transfer and knowledge adoption activities. Network ties developed in existing knowledge pools are extended to new knowledge pools enabling the leveraging of limited resources.

Item Type:	Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Sheffield Business School Research Institute > International Business, Economics, SMEs and Entrepreneurship
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018:	Sheffield Business School > Department of Management
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-014-0311-x
Page Range:	471-486
Depositing User:	Ann Betterton
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2014 16:54
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2021 22:15
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9009

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