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To export or to FDI? A configurational approach to family firm internationalization

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  • Lapeira, Maria
  • Samara, Georges
  • Kundu, Sumit
  • Kumaraswamy, Arun

Abstract

Using socioemotional wealth, this study advances our understanding of the various internationalization strategies family businesses adopt by exploring the governance and resource configurations that exist when family firms pursue distinct internationalization strategies. Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (FsQCA) on a sample of 775 Colombian family firms, our findings reveal a distinct set of resource and governance configurations that are present when family firms engage in less risky internationalization strategies such as exports, or in more risky internationalization strategies such as foreign direct investments (FDIs). The paper concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Lapeira, Maria & Samara, Georges & Kundu, Sumit & Kumaraswamy, Arun, 2024. "To export or to FDI? A configurational approach to family firm internationalization," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:59:y:2024:i:2:s1090951623000810
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2023.101506
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    1. Jean-Luc Arrègle & Andrea Calabrò & Michael A. Hitt & Liena Kano & Christian Schwens, 2024. "Family business and international business : Breaking silos and establishing a rigorous way forward," Post-Print hal-04514340, HAL.
    2. Arregle, Jean-Luc & Calabrò, Andrea & Hitt, Michael A. & Kano, Liena & Schwens, Christian, 2024. "Family business and international business: Breaking silos and establishing a rigorous way forward," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(3).

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