The Proactiveness Dimension of International Entrepreneurship: A Qualitative Study On Born Global Firms

Born global firm approach can explain the early involvement of internationalized small and medium sized enterprises in international markets soon after inception without going through the steps proposed by traditional internationalization process. International entrepreneurship is one of the dominant characteristic of the born global firms. In the literature, three dimensions of international entrepreneurship orientation (which are risk taking, innovativeness and proactiveness) are emphasized. The aim of this study is to determine the factors which influence the proactive orientation of born global firms as being one of the dimensions of international entrepreneurship orientation. In the research, seven born global firm in different sectors in Sakarya have been identified and analyzed using qualitative research methods. Case study pattern is preferred in accordance with the purpose of the study. Nvivo 8 software was utilized in data analysis process. As a result of the research, factors affecting proactiveness of born global firms -including trade fairs, knowledge, knowledge sources, management characteristics, networks and trust- are discussed under six different headings.