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International entrepreneurship and technological capabilities in the Middle East and North Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Brach, Juliane

    (University of Copenhagen and German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg)

  • Naudé, Wim

    (UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht)

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the extent of international entrepreneurship in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Oman and Syria using a dataset covering 3,281 firms. We find that weak technological capabilities constrain internationalization. Firms with ISO accreditation, an own website, and those who have introduced new technology have a higher probability of entering export markets than otherwise. Firms in high-tech sectors are more likely to export early. However with foreign shareholding this advantage of high-tech firms disappears. The results suggest that early international entrepreneurs may need to pay more in informal payments if they want to increase the share of their exports once they have entered into export markets. We derive implications for policy and further research.

Suggested Citation

  • Brach, Juliane & Naudé, Wim, 2012. "International entrepreneurship and technological capabilities in the Middle East and North Africa," MERIT Working Papers 2012-020, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2012020
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    File URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2012/wp2012-020.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sekkat, Khalid, 2016. "Exchange rate misalignment and export diversification in developing countries," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1-14.
    2. Khalid Sekkat, 2016. "Export Orientation and Exchange Rate Changes: Do Firms React Differently and Why?," Working Papers 989, Economic Research Forum, revised Apr 2016.
    3. José Ernesto Amorós & Rodrigo Basco & Gianni Romaní, 2016. "Determinants of early internationalization of new firms: the case of Chile," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 283-307, March.
    4. Leković Bojan & Petrović Miodrag & Berber Nemanja, 2018. "Determinants of Export Oriented Entrepreneurs from Southeast Europe Region," Economic Themes, Sciendo, vol. 56(4), pages 439-452, December.
    5. Agne Matiusinaite & Jurgita Sekliuckiene, 2015. "Factors determining early internationalization of entrepreneurial SMEs: Theoretical approach," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 8(3), pages 21-32, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International entrepreneurship; exports; entrepreneurial capabilities; innovation; Middle East; North Africa; MENA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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