Recent CIER research
CIER continues to develop and publish cutting-edge research as evident from the following five articles that have recently appeared or are forthcoming in 3* and 4* journals. Themes include the speed of entrepreneurial internationalization (Morgan-Thomas and Jones, 2009; Prashantham and Young, in press) and MNC subsidiary entrepreneurship & strategy (Dimitratos, Liouka, Ross and Young, 2009; Dimitratos, Liouka and Young, 2009; Manolopoulos, Dimitratos, Young and Lioukas, 2009). This is by no means an exhaustive list and there is more to look forward to; for example Dr Margaret Fletcher’s forthcoming presentation at the ISBE conference in November 2009 titled ‘Formal or Flexible? Knowledge Assimilating Processes of Internationalising SMEs’.
- Post-entry internationalization dynamics: Differences between SMEs in the development speed of their international sales
- Regional location of multinational corporation subsidiaries and economic development contribution: Evidence from the UK
- The multinational enterprise and subsidiary evolution: Scotland since 1945
- Technology Sourcing and Performance of Foreign Subsidiaries in Greece: The Impact of MNE and Local Environmental Contexts
- Post-entry speed of international new ventures
Members of CIER have also recently edited a book, Internationalization, Entrepreneurship and the Smaller Firm Evidence from Around the World, which contains state-of-the-art analysis of the current research themes and challenges influencing the internationalization of SMEs. More information can be found here:
Internationalization, Entrepreneurship and the Smaller Firm (pdf, 152kb)
Post-entry internationalization dynamics: Differences between SMEs in the development speed of their international sales
Anna Morgan-Thomas and Marian V. Jones
International Small Business Journal 2009, Volume 27, Issue 1, Pages 71-97.
Abstract
This study is concerned with the post-entry internationalization dynamics of newly internationalizing firms, specifically the speed at which their international sales develop after initial entry. In contrast to studies of international new ventures, the focus here is on the newness of internationalization rather than the newness of the firm itself. Firms are differentiated by the speed of internationalization as indicated by international intensity achieved within ten years. A sample of 200 newly internationalizing firms is divided into three groups namely,`rapid',`regular', and `reluctant' internationalizers. The groups are then compared in relation to the influence of: (1) their knowledge intensity, (2) their reliance on ICTs, (3) their international diversification strategy and (4) international channel strategy.The results show that rapid international sales development is associated with higher dependence on one key country market, higher country market diversity of sales and higher reliance on ICTs.
The multinational enterprise and subsidiary evolution: Scotland since 1945
Pavlos Dimitratos, Ioanna Liouka, Duncan Ross and Stephen Young
Business History 2009, Volume 51, Issue 3, pages 401 - 425
Abstract
This paper explores the major developments in the multinational enterprise (MNE) literature; along with the research conducted on Scottish-based MNE subsidiaries and the policy changes that have taken place in Scotland aimed at promoting foreign direct investment (FDI). It is suggested that subsidiaries may evolve from the branch plant to the developmental and the entrepreneurial subsidiary type; with each of these three subsidiary types contributing differently to the economic development of the host country. The empirical evidence from an in-depth analysis of IBM, Greenock, Scotland attests to the importance of the entrepreneurial subsidiary activities for the host economy. Implications for research and public policy are discussed.
Technology Sourcing and Performance of Foreign Subsidiaries in Greece: The Impact of MNE and Local Environmental Contexts
Dimitris Manolopoulos, Pavlos Dimitratos, Stephen Young and Spyros Lioukas
Management International Review 2009, Volume 49, Issue 1, pages 43–60
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of two categories of sources of technology on subsidiary performance. These technology sources can be associated either with the internal Multinational Enterprise (MNE) system; or, the local environment in which the subsidiary is based. A questionnaire-based survey was carried out on 88 subsidiaries located in Greece and results were derived through the use of ordered probit analysis. Internal MNE technology sourcing has a positive impact on subsidiary performance, which is stronger than that of local (Greek) technology sourcing. Contrary to our expectations, technology sourcing linked to the local context primarily has a negative influence on subsidiary performance.
Post-entry speed of international new ventures
Shameen Prashantham and Stephen Young
Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice 2011, Volume 35, Issue 2, pages 275-292
Abstract
We conceptualize a learning-based model of international new ventures (INVs)’ post-entry internationalization speed focusing upon two measures: country scope speed and international commitment speed. We contribute to a deeper understanding of the pace of international expansion of the new venture once it has become an INV by articulating the role of (1) the speed of learning, influenced by social capital and absorptive capacity, and (2) the content of learning represented by knowledge accumulation. We also offer a more refined perspective on organizational learning, which indicates that different stages in the process of exploitative learning require different forms of social capital.