What's the way? the foreign entry mode selection process of innovative and manufacturing-based start-ups

Abstract

One manifestation of our globalizing world is the emergence of start-ups that have an international focus from inception. The international activities of these firms, which are called ‘born globals” (Knight & Cavusgil, 1996), ‘infant multinationals’ (Lindqvist, 1991) or ‘international new ventures” (Oviatt & McDougall, 1994), have received an increasing amount of attention from researchers over the past years. These studies examine the characteristics of start-ups that have decided to internationalize almost directly after their creation, their motives for international expansion, the differences between international start-ups and non-international start-ups, and the entry modes they have used (Brouthers & Nakos, 2004). This study is focusing on the foreign entry mode choice of start-ups.