International Entrepreneurship: The Concept Of Intellectual Internationalisation

Much of the internationalisation literature deals with how firms have grown by extending their technologies, brands or organisational structures internationally. These literatures are about firms extending operational territories and gaining access to larger markets. However, in contemporary economies territorial extension is not the only form of internationalisation. Some individuals travel to new countries and see entrepreneurial opportunities. Their contribution to a new or existing venture is "intellect" as part of an internationalisation culture. Somehow, the global environment has changed from a place to be conquered by large corporations to and opportunity-rich environment for sensitive, entrepreneurial participants. The purpose of this exploratory study is to stimulate future research that examines what has changed, in business contexts, structures and markets, and to place intellectual entrepreneurship at the core of the internationalisation discussion.