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Education, Innovation, Stage of Activity and the Recent Economic Crisis as Key Factors of Internationalization: An Empirical Analysis of the Spanish Entrepreneurs Using the GEM Database

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Lafuente

    (Nebrija University, Madrid, Spain)

  • Ignacio López

    (Nebrija University, Madrid, Spain)

  • Carlos Poza

    (Nebrija University, Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the impact of employees’ level of education, productive innovation, stage of activity and the current economic downturn on the degree of internationalization of Spanish firms, taking into consideration some variables such as company size or sector. This analysis is carried out by means of the Spanish Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database for 2006 (pre-crisis), 2010 and 2011 (crisis). The results show that the firms with higher education employees, the organizations that innovate in their production process and the early stage companies present a higher likelihood of exporting than the rest of the firms. Furthermore, it is empirically analyzed that the recent recession is having a negative influence on export activity of firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Lafuente & Ignacio López & Carlos Poza, 2014. "Education, Innovation, Stage of Activity and the Recent Economic Crisis as Key Factors of Internationalization: An Empirical Analysis of the Spanish Entrepreneurs Using the GEM Database," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 4(10), pages 54-67, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:mir:mirbus:v:4:y:2014:i:10:p:54-67
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; economic crisis; innovation; internationalization of firms; stage of activity.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration

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