Entrepreneurial passion and family SMEs internationalization success: examining the moderating effect of the adversity of fragile countries

Purpose The assessment of the role of entrepreneurial passion in international entrepreneurship needs further attention. This study aims to fill this research gap by assessing the role of developing entrepreneurial passion, when moderated by the adversity of fragile countries, in the success of small and medium family enterprises’ (family SMEs) internationalization success. Design/methodology/approach Using time-lagged survey date from decision-makers on internationalized family SMEs from fragile countries (Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and Syria) between 2020 and 2022, this study assesses the relationship between the entrepreneurial passion and family SMEs’ internationalization success as well as the moderating effect of the institutional context of these fragile countries. Findings The results demonstrated that the developing entrepreneurial passion is positively related to the family SMEs’ internationalization success. Moreover, the adversity of fragile home countries significantly moderates this relationship. Originality/value This study is a catalyst for future passion theoretical research on fragile countries. Moreover, it will encourage more studies on the understanding of the entrepreneurial passion for organizational performance of family SMEs, especially in an international context.