European Born Globals

In the aftermath of the global recession, job creation is a policy priority. While it is a well-accepted fact that the majority of jobs are created by small and medium-sized enterprises, not all SMEs are rapidly growing, or even intend to expand. With limited public budgets, business models within the SME population that do show high job creation potential become very attractive. One of the business types identified as major engines of job creation are ‘born globals’ characterised as firms which engage intensively in internationalisation activities shortly after start-up. They are high on the entrepreneurship research agenda but so far little attention has been devoted to their potential as job creators, the processes they apply when hiring and the barriers they face. Through a combination of secondary data analysis, literature reviews and international case studies, European Born Globals sheds new light on the motivations and processes of job creation in born global firms. It will contribute to understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of job creation in born globals, essential not only for policy makers, but also for academic research and management education.

This book helps managers and scholars understand the born-global phenomenon. We offer a comprehensive treatment of born globals, from distinctive features of these companies, to strategies that they use for international success, to implications of the phenomenon for international small- and medium-sized enterprises. We review useful theories and frameworks, as well as introduce a new field based on the born-global phenomenon - international entrepreneurship.

In the aftermath of the global recession, job creation is a policy priority. While it is a well-accepted fact that the majority of jobs are created by small and medium-sized enterprises, not all SMEs are rapidly growing, or even intend to expand. With limited public budgets, business models within the SME population that do show high job creation potential become very attractive. One of the business types identified as major engines of job creation are ‘born globals’ characterised as firms which engage intensively in internationalisation activities shortly after start-up. They are high on the entrepreneurship research agenda but so far little attention has been devoted to their potential as job creators, the processes they apply when hiring and the barriers they face. Through a combination of secondary data analysis, literature reviews and international case studies, European Born Globals sheds new light on the motivations and processes of job creation in born global firms. It will contribute to understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of job creation in born globals, essential not only for policy makers, but also for academic research and management education.

Essay aus dem Jahr 2008 im Fachbereich Politik - Thema: Globalisierung, pol. Ökonomie, Note: 1A, University of Stirling, Veranstaltung: International Business, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: Globalisation is omnipresent in today’s society and economy. The reduction of international communication and logistic costs, the increase in customer mobility and market homogeneity and other present-day trends are among the reasons for the emergence of small and medium firms which are able to operate internationally rapidly after inception – so-called ‘Born globals’. But while the new research field of ‘International entrepreneurship’ focuses mainly on the phenomenon and process of internationalization a lack of insight into the challenges, which Born globals are confronted with during their internationalization process, is apparent. Important in this case is the question of how these challenges differ from those of traditional internationalizing small and medium enterprises. This essay will examine the definition and characteristics of born global small and medium enterprises, and will then go on to analyse the reasons for the emergence and review related literature to found conceptual foundation for the discussion. Subsequent will be the discussion of opportunities and threats of the born global way in contrast to the traditional way of internationalization. Finally, a conclusion will reflect on the main findings of this work.

International Business is a well-established research field, in which regionalisation has gained prominence in the last decade. Because Europe is a market that shows specific patterns of highly advanced market integration, European Business is a subject in its own right and with its own research momentum. In particular, firms view Europe as a challenging, mostly – yet not entirely- mature market location that is subject to complexities that help reveal strategic corporate strengths and weaknesses. Europe represents a location that undergoes frequent and rapid change due to its geo-economic and geopolitical position This comprehensive reference volume brings together a global team of contibutors to analyze and overview the key issues, themes and phenomena that affect business in Europe. With interdisciplinary perspectives from key disciplines, the book covers a range of vital themes such as culture, entrepreneurship, identity, human rights and climate change. The selection of authors reflects the international scope of this book, and is drawn from institutions located in 17 countries across Europe. A unique resource, this book covers a region undergoing significant geoeconomic and geopolitical change, and provides a comprehensive guide to research students and scholars of business and the social sciences.

'The immense literature on born globals contains a cottage industry of research that includes many different definitions, operationalizations and conclusions. It is time to reflect on what insights we have gained. The editors have really succeeded in putting a highly needed great Handbook together that presents this at its best. It will stimulate further research. It is an appealing, useful and well crafted end product.' – Torben Pedersen, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark This impressive Handbook provides a dynamic perspective on the development of successful born global firms, including evolutionary phases and pathways of growth, emergence of entire born global industries, role of founders' linkages, experience, culture and training, as well as collaboration with large MNEs. The expert contributors and the editors explore the origin and evolution of born globals and the changing history of this sector. They outline the training involved in developing international intellectual entrepreneurs and study the effects of different cultures on the origin and growth of born globals. The Handbook focuses on the different types of born globals that emerge from the general set of SMEs – ranging from the pure born globals to the born again globals, the born regionals, and their sub group of born again regionals. It also innovatively differentiates these from internationalizing SMEs and international new ventures. Providing a dynamic perspective on the development of successful born global firms, this book will prove essential reading for researchers and students of international business. Founders of born global firms will also learn about novel management practices, whilst educational institutions and governments will find invaluable insights on how to foster the emergence of successful born globals.

Cases on Born Globals brings together a wealth of case studies covering a range of industries and countries on emerging firms known as ‘Born Globals’ that seek to enter international markets immediately upon creation. Bringing together 11 key cases, Erik Rasmussen highlights how these firms have been increasing in number over the last 20 years. He further explores the speed of their growth, the challenges experienced and likely future prognoses. The book also discusses whether early internationalisation could be advantageous to entrepreneurial firms by linking up to other more prominent firms and thereby creating a greater reach for the newly-created firms.

This report explores the motivations, opportunities and challenges of born globals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in integrating and managing their global value chains (GVCs). The study also investigates the role of selected policy measures in supporting SME internationalisation, including different types of support in Europe and beyond. The analysis shows how such interventions can be improved to better address the needs of born globals and internationalising SMEs. An in-depth analysis of seven case studies of European born globals and their international partners together with 28 policy measures across Europe, Australia, USA, Japan and Korea was undertaken. The report considers the barriers to internationalisation and offers suggestions for policy development.

International business is synonymous with big challenges. Cultural and institutional complexities remain ever potent, so are 'newer' concerns like climate change and international terrorism. This timely book examines these challenges from the perspectives of different international business actors.