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The “why” of international entrepreneurship: uncovering entrepreneurs’ personal values

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Bolzani

    (University of Bologna)

  • Maw Der Foo

    (National University Singapore)

Abstract

Previous studies investigating the “why” of entrepreneurial internationalization have focused on firm-level motivations, overlooking the relationships between firm-level and individual-level motivations and why entrepreneurs differ in the goals they intend to achieve. We investigate the role of personal values as desirable end states that motivate international entrepreneurship by functioning as superordinate cognitive structures that underlie the practical internationalization goals set by entrepreneurs. By adopting an idiographic approach based on a laddering methodology in a sample of 140 new domestic technology-based firms located in Northern Italy, we uncover and map the hierarchies of goals that motivate entrepreneurs’ internationalization intentions, which are anchored in five personal values: achievement, power, self-direction, benevolence, and security. We discuss our theoretical and methodological contributions and the policy implications of our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Bolzani & Maw Der Foo, 2018. "The “why” of international entrepreneurship: uncovering entrepreneurs’ personal values," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(3), pages 639-666, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:51:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-017-9945-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-017-9945-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurial internationalization; Entrepreneurial motivation; Entrepreneurial intentions; Goals; Personal values; Laddering method;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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