How do demographics and basic traits of an entrepreneur impact the internationalization of firms?

• Authors: Krzysztof Wach , Agnieszka Głodowska

Abstracts

EN

Research background: The theoretical basis of the study derives from the assumptions of international entrepreneurship combining theories of entrepreneurship and theories of international business. The identification of entrepreneurship determinants and attributes was based on the economic, socio-cultural, as well as psychological approach to entrepreneurship. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to verify how demographic and basic traits of an entrepreneur affect the pace of the internationalization of firms from Poland. Methods: The study was based on CATI method. The article uses data collected on the basis of a study conducted on a sample of 355 companies from Poland. The research methods applied are a critical analysis of prior research, which allowed to identify the research gap and develop research hypotheses. In the empirical part, statistical methods were applied, including descriptive statistics and multidimensional regression. Findings & value added: The logistic regression estimation allows to confirm three hypotheses. With the age of the entrepreneur, the pace of internationalization of the firm increases. The pace of internationalization of the firm increases with the level of education of the entrepreneur. The fact that an entrepreneur belongs to a national minority increases the pace of the internationalization of the firm. Results of two-sample t-test confirm that firms whose entrepreneurs have higher entrepreneurial competences internationalize faster and earlier. The added value of the article is the combination of socio-demographic and psycho-cognitive characteristics of the entrepreneur with internationalisation. Applying this approach to a sample of firms from Poland (CEE market) contributes to research on international entrepreneurship in a thematic and geographical sense. The results of the study are of an applied nature. They can be addressed to many recipients: entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, entities responsible for shaping and promoting entrepreneurship on both the micro and macro levels.

Keywords

EN

entrepreneur; international entrepreneurship; internationalization; determinants of entrepreneurship; international business; traits; demographics

• Publisher: Instytut Badań Gospodarczych
• Journal: Oeconomia Copernicana
• Year: 2021
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 399-424

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Krzysztof Wach

• Cracow University of Economics

• https://orcid.org/0000000175422863

author

Agnieszka Głodowska

• Cracow University of Economics

• https://orcid.org/0000000253178625

References

• Albaum, G., Strandskov J., Duerr E., & Dowd L. (1994). International marketing and export management. Reading MA: Addison-Wesley.
• Albaum, G., Strandskov, J., & Duerr, E. (2002). International marketing and export management. Harlow: Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing.
• Amorós, J. E., Basco, R., & Romani, G. (2016). Determinants of early internationalization of new firms: the case of Chile. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 12(1), 283?307. doi: 10.1007/s11365-014-0343-2.
• Baier-Fuentes, H., Merigó, J. M., Amorós, J. E., & Gaviria-Marín, M. (2019). International entrepreneurship: a bibliometric overview. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 15(2), 385?429. doi: 10.1007/s11365-017-0487-y.
• Barłożewski, K., & Trąpczyński, P. (2021). Internationalisation motives and the multinationality-performance relationship: the case of Polish firms. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(2), 85?104. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2 021.090206.
• Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17, 99?120.
• Barney, J. B. (2001). Resource-based theories of competitive advantage: a ten-year retrospective on the resource-based view. Journal of Management, 27(6), 643-650. doi: 10.1177%2F014920630102700602.
• Barringer, B. R., Jones, F. F., & Neubaum, D. O. (2005). A quantitative content analysis of the characteristics of rapid-growth firms and their founders. Journal of Business Venturing, 20, 663?687.
• Basuki Widyanti, R., & Rajiani, I. (2021). Nascent entrepreneurs of millennial generations in the emerging market of Indonesia. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(2), 151?165. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2021.090210.
• Becker, G. S. (1994). Human capital: a theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Bigos, K., & Michalik, A. (2020). The influence of innovation on international new ventures? exporting in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 8(3), 47?63. doi: 10.15678/E BER.2020.080303.
• Bigos, K., & Wach, K. (2021). Product innovation as the cause for export propensity in the Caucasus: empirical evidence for Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Central Asia and the Caucasus, 22(2).
• Buzavaite, M., & Korsakiene, R. (2019). Human capital and the internationalisation of SMEs: a systemic literature review. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 7(3), 125?142. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2019.070307.
• Cieślik, A., Michałek, J. J., & Szczygielski, K. (2019). What matters for firms? participation in Global Value Chains in Central and East European countries? Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 14(3), 481?502. doi: 10.24136/eq.2019.023.
• Civelek, M., Ključnikov, A., Fialova, V., Folvarčná, A., & Stoch, M. (2021). How innovativeness of family-owned SMEs differ depending on their characteristics? Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 16(2), 413?428. doi: 10.24136/eq.2021.015.
• Coviello, N., Kano, L., & Liesch, P. W. (2017). Adapting the Uppsala model to a modern world: macro-context and microfoundations. Journal of International Business Studies, 48(9), 1151?1164. doi: 10.1057/s41267-017-0120-x.
• Cruickshank, P., & Dupuis, A. (2015). The adaptation of intentional immigrant entrepreneurs: a case study. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 3(3), 77?93. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2015.030305.
• Dabić, M., Vlačić, B., Paul, J., Dana, L.-P., Sahasranamam, S., & Glinka, B. (2020). Immigrant entrepreneurship: a review and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 113, 25?38.
• Dankiewicz, R., Ostrowska-Dankiewicz, A., & Bulut, C. (2020). The attitudes of entrepreneurs of the small and medium-sized enterprises sector in Poland to key business risks. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 15(3), 511?536. doi: 10.24136/eq.2020.023.
• Daszkiewicz, N. (2018). Resouce-and-comptence-based factors of the entreprenerial internationalization of firms. In K. Wach (Ed.). Internationalization of firms in the perspective of international entrerenership. Warszawa: PWN, 157?188.
• Domurath, A., & Patzelt, H. (2020). Founder non-international experience and venture internationalization. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 17, 494?519. doi: 10.1007/s10843-019-00249-0.
• Drechsler, J., Bachmann, J. T., & Engelen, A. (2019). The effect of immigrants in the founding team on the international attention of new ventures. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 17, 305?333. doi: 10.1007/s10843-019-00248-1.
• Driesch, T. V. D., Costa, M., Flatten, T., & Brettel, M. (2015). How CEO experience, personality, andnetwork affect firms?dynamic capabilities. European Management Journal, 33(4), 245?256.
• Essel, B. K., Adams, F., & Amankwah, K. (2019). Effect of entrepreneur, firm, and institutional characteristics on small-scale firm performance in Ghana. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(55), 1?20. doi: 10.1186/s40497-019-0178-y.
• Figueiredo, V., & Brochado, A.O. (2015). Assessing the main determinants of entrepreneurship in Portugal. Tourism & Management Studies, 11(1), 182?190.
• Galbreath, J. (2005). Which resources matter the most to firm success? An exploratory study of resource-based theory. Technoviation, 25(9), 979?987. doi: 10.1016/j.technovation.2004.02.008.
• Głodowska, A. (2019). Comparative international entrepreneurship: theoretical framework and research development. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 7(2), 235?248. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2019.070213.
• Głodowska, A., Maciejewski, M., & Wach, K. (2019). How entrepreneurial orientation stimulates different types of knowledge in the internationalisation process of firms from Poland?. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 7(1), 61?73. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2019.070104.
• Gonzalez-Perez, M., Velez-Ocampo, J., & Herrera-Cano, C. (2018). Entrepreneurs? features affecting the internationalisation of service SMEs. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 6(2), 9?28. doi: 10.15678/EBER.201 8.060201.
• Harada, N. (2003). Who succeeds as an entrepreneur? An analysis of the post-entry performance of new firms in Japan. Japan and the World Economy, 15(2), 211?222. doi: 10.1016/S0922-1425(02)00002-6.
• Hollensen, S. (2007). Global marketing: a decision-oriented approach. Harlow: Pearson Education.
• Jiang, G., Kotabe, M., & Zhang, F. (2020). Founder ethnic composition, early internationalization, and new venture performance. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 18, 419?443. doi: 10.1007/s10843-020-00281-5.
• Jones, M. V., Coviello, N., & Tang, Y. (2011). International entrepreneurship research (1989?2009): a domain ontology and thematic analysis. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(6), 632?659.
• Kautonen, T., Down, S., & Minniti, M. (2014). Ageing and entrepreneurial preferences. Small Business Economics, 42, 579?594. doi: 10.1007/s11187-013-94 89-5.
• Kim, K. S., Knotts, T. L., & Jones, S. C. (2008). Characterizing viability of small manufacturing enterprises (SME) in the market. Expert Systems with Applications, 34(1), 128?134. doi: 10.1016/j.eswa.2006.08.009.
• Ključnikov, A., Civelek, M., Fialova, V., & Folvarčná, A. (2021). Organizational, local, and global innovativeness of family-owned SMEs depending on firm-individual level characteristics: evidence from the Czech Republic. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 16(1), 169?184. doi: 10.24136/eq.2021.006.
• Knight, G. A., & Cavusgil, S. T. (2004). Innovation, organizational capabilities, and the born global firm. Journal of International Business Studies, 35, 124?141. doi: 10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400071.
• Kristiansen, S., Furuholf, B., & Walid, F. (2003). Internet café entrepreneurs: pioneers in information dissemination in Idonesia. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 4(4), 251?263.
• Kurczewska, A., Doryń, W., & Wawrzyniak, D. (2020). An everlasting battle between theoretical knowledge and practical skills? The joint impact of education and professional experience on entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 8(2), 219?237. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2020.08 0212.
• Lamotte, O., & Colovic, A. (2015). Early internationalization of new ventures from emerging countries: the case of transition economies. Dans Management, 18(1), 8?30. doi: 10.3917/mana.181.0008.
• Lee, B. (2019). Human capital and labor: the effect of entrepreneur characteristics on venture success. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 25, 29?49. doi: 10.1108/IJEBR-10-2017-0384.
• Leonidou, L., Katsikeas, C. S., & Piercy, N. (1998). Identifying managerial influences on exporting: past research and future directions. Journal of International Marketing, 6(2), 74?102.
• Liesch, P. W., Welch, L. S., Welch, D., McGaughey, S. L., Petersen, B., & Lamb, P. (2003). Evolving strands of research on firm internationalization: an Australian-Nordic perspective. International Studies of Management and Organization, 32(1), 16?35.
• Littunen, H. & Virtanen, M. (2006). Differentiating growing ventures from non-growth firms. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management, 2(1), 93?109.
• Matiusinaite, A., & Sekliuckiene, J. (2015). Factors determining early internationalization of entrepreneurial SMEs: theoretical approach. International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research, 8(3), 21?32.
• McDougall, P. P., & Oviatt, B. M. (2005). Defining international entrepreneurship and modeling the speed of internationalization. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 29(5), 537?554. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2005.00097.x.
• McDougall, P. P., & Oviatt, B. M. (2000). International entrepreneurship: the intersection of two research paths. Academy of Management Journal, 43(5), 902?906.
• Melen, S., & Nordman, E. R. (2009). The internationalisation modes of born globals: a longitudinal study. European Management Journal, 27(4), 243?254. doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2008.11.004.
• Mozas-Moral, A., Moral-Pajares, E., Medina-Viruel, M. J., & Bernal-Jurado, E. (2016). Manager?s educa-tional background and ICT use as antecedents of export decisions: a crisp set QCA analysis. Journal of Business Research, 69(4), 1333?1335. doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.102.
• Neubert, M., & Van Der Krogt, A. S. (2019). Decision-makers impact on the internationalization of high-technology firms in emerging markets. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(70), 1?17. doi: 10.1186/s40497-019-0195-x.
• Nummela, N., Vissak, T., & Francioni, B. (2020). The interplay of entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial internationalization: an illustrative case of an Italian SME. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11365-020-00673-y.
• OECD (2009). Top barriers and drivers to SME internationalisation. Report by the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship. Paris: OECD.
• Oviatt, B. M., & McDougall, P. P. (1997). Challenges for internationalization process theory: the case of international new ventures. Management International Review, 37(2), 85?99.
• Pinho, J. C. M., Martins, L., & Soares, A. M. (2018). Small businesses? internationalization: international readiness in the context of Asian countries. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 10(1), 50?63. doi: 10.1108/APJBA-05-201 7-0043.
• Reissová, A., Šimsová, J., Sonntag, R., & Kučerová, K. (2020). The influence of personal characteristics on entrepreneurial intentions: International comparison. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 8(4), 29?46. doi: 10.15678/ EBER.2020.080402.
• Reynolds, P. D., Bygrave, W. D., Autio, E., Cox, L. W., & Hay, M. (2002). Global entrepreneurship monitor. Executive Report. Kansas City: Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
• Rialti, R., Pellegrini, M. M., Caputo, A., & Dabić, M. (2017). Entrepreneurial education and internationalisation of firms in transition economies: a conceptual framework from the case of Croatia. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 13(2/3), 290?313. doi: 10.1504/W REMSD.2017.083027.
• Rwehumbiza, D., & Marinov, M. A. (2020). Development of entrepreneurial orientation of export manufacturers from emerging economies. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 16, 667?689. doi: 10.1007/s11365-019-00580-x.
• Saghebi, S., Alizadeh, A., Mohammadzaheri, M., & Habibisenobar, T. (2020). Relationships of managers? entrepreneurial perception and internationalization speed in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(28), 1?19. doi: 10.1186/s40497-019-0151-9.
• Sarwoko, E., & Nurfarida, I. (2021). Entrepreneurial marketing: between entrepreneurial personality traits and business performance. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(2), 105?118. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2021.090207.
• Sundararajan, M., & Sundararajan, B. (2015). Immigrant capital and entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 3(3), 29?50. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2015.030303.
• Thomas, A. S. & Mueller, S. L. (2000). A case for comparative entrepreneurship: Assessing the relevance of culture. Journal of International Business Studies, 31(2), 287?301.
• Vahlne, J. E., & Johanson, J. (2017). From internationalization to evolution: the Uppsala model at 40 years. Journal of International Business Studies, 48, 1087?1102. doi: 10.1057/s41267-017-0107-7.
• Veciana, J. M. (2007). Entrepreneurship as a scientific research programme. In Á. Cuervo, D. Ribeiro & S. Roig (Eds.). Entrepreneurship. Concepts, theory and perspectives. Berlin: Springer, 23?71.
• Wach, K. (2014). International entrepreneurship and the third age: the effect of the entrepreneur?s age on internationalisation of Polish businesses. Przedsiębiorczość i Zarządzanie, 15(11[1]), 65?80.
• Wach, K. (2015). Entrepreneurship without borders: do borders matter for international entrepreneurship? Problemy Zarządzania, 13(1-2), 82?92.
• Wach, K., Głodowska, A., & Maciejewski, M. (2018). Entrepreneurial orientation, knowledge utilization and internationalization of firms. Sustainability, 10(12), 4711. doi: 10.3390/su10124711.
• Wach, K., & Maciejewski, M. (2019). International startups from Poland: born global or born regional. Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, 27(1), 60?83. doi: 10.7206/jmba.ce.2450-7814.247.
• Wardana, L. W., Narmaditya, B. S., Wibowo, A., Fitriana., Saraswati, T. T., & Indriani, R. (2021). Drivers of entrepreneurial attitude among economics students in Indonesia. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 9(1), 61?74. doi: 10.15678/EBER.2021.090104.
• Weerawardena, J., Sullivan Mort, G., & Liesch, P. W. (2017). Capabilities development and deployment activities in born global B-to-B firms for early entry into international markets. Industrial Marketing Management, 78, 122?136. doi: 10.1016/j.indmarman.2017.06.004.
• Yusuf, A. (1997). An empirical investigation of the organisation life cycle model for small business development and survival in the South Pacific. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 5(4), 423?445. doi: 10.1142/S0218495897000247.
• Zahra, S. A., Korri, J. S., & Yu, J. (2005). Cognition and international entrepreneurship: implications for research on international opportunity recognition and exploitation. International Business Review 14(2), 129?146. doi: 10.1016/j.ibu srev.2004.04.005.
• Zhou, L., Barnes, B. R., & Lu, Y. (2010). Entrepreneurial proclivity, capability upgrading and performance advantage of newness among international new ventures. Journal of International Business Studies, 41(5), 882?905.
• Zucchella, A., & Magniani, G. (2016). Entrepreneurship. Theoretical foundations and practices. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Zygmunt, J. (2020). The effect of changes in the economic structure on entrepreneurial activity in a transition economy: the case of Poland. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 15(1), 49?62. doi: 10.24136 /eq.2020.003.

Identifiers

DOI

10.24136/oc.2021.014

Biblioteka Nauki

19233660