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Across borders and beyond boundaries: How the Olivetti Company became a multinational

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  • Adriana Castagnoli

Abstract

'Ing. C. Olivetti & Co.', the office machine producer founded in 1908, is one of the few Italian enterprises that was quick to set up a process of internationalisation both in European markets and in other continents. This article shows the evolution of Olivetti as a multinational business from its origins until the 1960s when the manufacturer was owned and controlled by the Olivetti family. It focuses on the role that 'entrepreneurial cognition' plays in shaping business as the company pursues new business opportunities across borders. It argues that the internationalisation of Olivetti was pursued in at least three ways: (1) as exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities in response to major historical events, local and global tensions; (2) as the result of entrepreneurial perceived high self-efficacy; and (3) as consequence of heuristic decision-making processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Castagnoli, 2014. "Across borders and beyond boundaries: How the Olivetti Company became a multinational," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 1281-1311, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:bushst:v:56:y:2014:i:8:p:1281-1311
    DOI: 10.1080/00076791.2013.876534
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John H. Dunning & Sarianna M. Lundan, 2008. "Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy, Second Edition," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3215.
    2. Casson, Mark & Yeung, Bernard & Basu, Anuradha & Wadeson, Nigel (ed.), 2008. "The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199546992.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jean-Luc Arregle & Francesco Chirico & Liena Kano & Sumit K. Kundu & Antonio Majocchi & William S. Schulze, 2021. "Family firm internationalization: Past research and an agenda for the future," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(6), pages 1159-1198, August.
    2. Sara Sassetti & Giacomo Marzi & Vincenzo Cavaliere & Cristiano Ciappei, 2018. "Entrepreneurial cognition and socially situated approach: a systematic and bibliometric analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 116(3), pages 1675-1718, September.
    3. Mikel Alayo & Txomin Iturralde & Amaia Maseda & Gloria Aparicio, 2021. "Mapping family firm internationalization research: bibliometric and literature review," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1517-1560, August.

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