Why do some SMEs engage in joint internationalisation and others do not? Exploring the role of mental images in collective international opportunity recognition.
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| Authors: | Haaja, Eini1 (AUTHOR) eini.haaja@utu.fi |
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| Source: | Journal of International Entrepreneurship. Mar2020, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p15-43. 29p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts. |
| Subject Terms: | *Businesspeople, *Entrepreneurship, Mental imagery, Image processing |
| Geographic Terms: | Norway, Russia |
| Abstract (English): | This study explores the under-researched yet increasingly important process of collective international opportunity recognition. Collective opportunities are created through the interaction and joint acts of several firms and, thus, involve a complex merging of different perspectives and interests. This study analyses why some entrepreneurs recognise collective opportunities in foreign markets while others do not. The empirical data comprise qualitative interviews with 20 representatives of Finnish small- and medium-sized maritime enterprises that are exploring internationalisation opportunities in Norway and Russia. The study suggests that collective international opportunity recognition is affected by the entrepreneur's mental images of inter-firm collaboration and the foreign market. These images comprise his or her interpretations of relevant experiences, the current strategies and resources, and attractiveness of the context. Mental images are built on information and stimuli that the entrepreneur receives regarding potential partner firms and the foreign market, although these inputs are interpreted through the current images. The study advances international entrepreneurship research by providing insights into the subjective and contextual process of collective international opportunity recognition from the perspective of individual entrepreneurs, exploring mental images as drivers in this process, and describing the content of these images. The study highlights the complexities involved in opportunity recognition in an international collaborative setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (French): | Résumé: Este estudio investiga el proceso del reconocimiento de la oportunidad internacional colectiva, un tema poco estudiado, pero cada vez más importante. Las oportunidades colectivas se crean a través de la interacción y los actos comunes de varias empresas, y por lo tanto, implican una fusión compleja de perspectivas e intereses distintos. Este estudio analiza por qué algunos emprendedores reconocen las oportunidades colectivas en los mercados extranjeros, mientras que otros no lo hacen. Los datos empíricos están recogidos de entrevistas cualitativas con 20 representantes de pequeñas y medianas empresas marítimas finlandesas que están explorando oportunidades de internacionalización en Noruega y Rusia. El estudio plantea que el reconocimiento de la oportunidad internacional colectiva está afectado por las imágenes mentales del emprendedor hacia la colaboración entre empresas y el mercado extranjero. Dichas imágenes consisten en sus interpretaciones de experiencias relevantes, las estrategias y los recursos actuales, y el atractivo del contexto. Las imágenes mentales se basan en la información y los estímulos que el emprendedor recibe en relación con las potenciales empresas asociadas y el mercado extranjero aunque estos insumos se interpretan a través de las imágenes actuales. El estudio desarrolla la investigación de emprendimiento internacional proporcionando información sobre el proceso subjetivo y contextual del reconocimiento de la oportunidad internacional colectiva desde las perspectivas de emprendedores individuales, explorando imágenes mentales como impulsores en este proceso y describiendo el contenido de dichas imágenes. El estudio destaca las complejidades implicadas en el reconocimiento de la oportunidad en un entorno internacional y de colaboración. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Entrepreneurial Studies Source |
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| Abstract: | This study explores the under-researched yet increasingly important process of collective international opportunity recognition. Collective opportunities are created through the interaction and joint acts of several firms and, thus, involve a complex merging of different perspectives and interests. This study analyses why some entrepreneurs recognise collective opportunities in foreign markets while others do not. The empirical data comprise qualitative interviews with 20 representatives of Finnish small- and medium-sized maritime enterprises that are exploring internationalisation opportunities in Norway and Russia. The study suggests that collective international opportunity recognition is affected by the entrepreneur's mental images of inter-firm collaboration and the foreign market. These images comprise his or her interpretations of relevant experiences, the current strategies and resources, and attractiveness of the context. Mental images are built on information and stimuli that the entrepreneur receives regarding potential partner firms and the foreign market, although these inputs are interpreted through the current images. The study advances international entrepreneurship research by providing insights into the subjective and contextual process of collective international opportunity recognition from the perspective of individual entrepreneurs, exploring mental images as drivers in this process, and describing the content of these images. The study highlights the complexities involved in opportunity recognition in an international collaborative setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 15707385 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10843-019-00253-4 |
