The dynamics of relational competencies in the development of born global firms: A multilevel approach

The Relevance of “Born Global” Definition in the Research Process

“…Research on collective competencies should not be neglected because collective competences are the combination of individual competencies in a collaborative work environment or a team (Arnaud, Mills, 2012). The collective competence can be defined as "a group of ability to perform together towards a common goal, which results in the creation of a collective outcome that could not be accomplished by one member due to its complexity" (Loufrani-Fedida et al, 2019) and refers to the ability of team members to combine their individual competencies and solve problems together. It includes a combination of learned skills, working routines, and processes, as well as thinking chains and reasoning.…”

“…It includes a combination of learned skills, working routines, and processes, as well as thinking chains and reasoning. The interpersonal competence refers to the ability of team members to interact and collaborate with other members while accomplishing the team's tasks (Ruuska, Robin, 2009;Loufrani-Fedida et al, 2019).…”

“…In terms of visibility, the BGs frequently focus more on learning how to mobilize formal (the Internet or trade shows) than informal channels (personal relationships). When expanding the network, the company must be able to enhance its reputation to speed up the process of making contact and initiating relationships, network expansion will involve a reflection on the methods already used by the company to initiate such relationships (Loufrani-Fedida et al, 2019). The entrepreneurial perspective is the part of the BG ecosystem, although it is in close interaction with other components of this ecosystem, it would be valuable to investigate the factors in the firm's external environment thought to drive early internationalization, including the liberalization of international markets, advances in information and communications technologies, and the emergence of the Internet that are in close interaction with external environment perspective as industry condition, geographic location and government policies.…”

“…Over the past 25 years, several terms have been used in the literature to qualify this new generation of SMEs: "Born Global" (Rennie, 1993), "International New Ventures (INV)" (Oviatt, McDougall, 1994), "Global start--ups" (Oviatt, McDougall, 2005) or "Born Internationals" (Johanson, Martin, 2015). The most commonly accepted term of born global firms defined by (Knight, Cavusgil, 2004) as "business organizations that, from or near their founding, seek superior international business performance from the application of knowledge-based resources to the sale of outputs in multiple countries" (Loufrani-Fedida et al, 2019). The definition of born globals aims to capture a unique type of an export firm with an accelerated export process, in contrast with the traditional internationalization process whereby firms build up a customer base in the domestic market and then gradually expand internationally (Bilkey, Tesar, 1977;Johanson, Vahlne, 1977).…”

“…Visibility allows the company to attract potential foreign partners more easily. When expanding the network, the company must be able to enhance its reputation to speed up the process of making contact and initiating relationships and to know how to identify relevant potential partners (Loufrani-Fedida et al 2019).…”