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The institutional context as a source of heterogeneity in family firm internationalization strategies: A comparison between U.S. and emerging market family firms

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  • González, Carlos
  • González-Galindo, Ana

Abstract

Existing research has underexplored the role of context as a source of heterogeneity in family firms’ (FFs) internationalization strategies. Drawing upon institutional theory, we develop and test a mid-range theory positing that differences in the quality of the institutional context can moderate the strength of the relationship between individual- and board-level attributes and FF internationalization. Our comparison of U.S. FFs with FFs from Brazil and Mexico reveals that in emerging market FFs, individual-level attributes such as CEO international experience, CEO educational attainment, and CEO international education exhibit a stronger relationship with internationalization. Similarly, we find that board-level attributes such as board size and board independence are also more strongly related to internationalization in emerging market contexts. We contribute to the literature by identifying a source of variation in FF internationalization strategies based on context and by examining the relationship between a wide range of FF attributes and internationalization.

Suggested Citation

  • González, Carlos & González-Galindo, Ana, 2022. "The institutional context as a source of heterogeneity in family firm internationalization strategies: A comparison between U.S. and emerging market family firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(4).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:31:y:2022:i:4:s0969593121001906
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101972
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