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Entrepreneurial Action in the Pre-Export Phase of SMEs: A Cognitive Approach

Elawad, Ziad LU and Kleimeier, Martin (2014) ENTN19 20141
Department of Business Administration
Abstract (Swedish)
The purpose of this study is to advance the theoretical knowledge of internationalisation of small and
medium-sized firms from an individual perspective. In particular, the research takes a cognitive approach in
understanding how experiential knowledge shapes entrepreneurs’ uncertainty perception and thus their
willingness to recognise and act upon export opportunities. Six in-depth, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with three exporters and non-exporters in the Swedish beverage sector. The comparative analysis
allowed understanding how individuals on each group recognise, evaluate and act upon export opportunities
within their milieu. Empirical findings show differences in the underlying uncertainty perception amongst
both... (More)
The purpose of this study is to advance the theoretical knowledge of internationalisation of small and
medium-sized firms from an individual perspective. In particular, the research takes a cognitive approach in
understanding how experiential knowledge shapes entrepreneurs’ uncertainty perception and thus their
willingness to recognise and act upon export opportunities. Six in-depth, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with three exporters and non-exporters in the Swedish beverage sector. The comparative analysis
allowed understanding how individuals on each group recognise, evaluate and act upon export opportunities
within their milieu. Empirical findings show differences in the underlying uncertainty perception amongst
both groups. Key to these differences is entrepreneurs’ individual motives, which wrought the type of
experiences they engage in and accordingly the experiential knowledge they accumulate. Given the empirical
observations, five propositions were developed to refine the understanding of entrepreneurs’ decision making
process in the pre-export phase. This led to the construction of an empirical framework. Lastly,
theoretical and practical implications were delineated. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Elawad, Ziad LU and Kleimeier, Martin
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20141
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
SMEs, Internationalisation, Exporting, Experiential Knowledge, Entrepreneurial Action, Opportunity Recognition, Opportunity Evaluation, Entrepreneurial Learning, Motives, Cognitive Biases
language
English
id
4456523
date added to LUP
2014-06-19 10:27:37
date last changed
2014-06-19 10:27:37
@misc{4456523,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this study is to advance the theoretical knowledge of internationalisation of small and
medium-sized firms from an individual perspective. In particular, the research takes a cognitive approach in
understanding how experiential knowledge shapes entrepreneurs’ uncertainty perception and thus their
willingness to recognise and act upon export opportunities. Six in-depth, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with three exporters and non-exporters in the Swedish beverage sector. The comparative analysis
allowed understanding how individuals on each group recognise, evaluate and act upon export opportunities
within their milieu. Empirical findings show differences in the underlying uncertainty perception amongst
both groups. Key to these differences is entrepreneurs’ individual motives, which wrought the type of
experiences they engage in and accordingly the experiential knowledge they accumulate. Given the empirical
observations, five propositions were developed to refine the understanding of entrepreneurs’ decision making
process in the pre-export phase. This led to the construction of an empirical framework. Lastly,
theoretical and practical implications were delineated.}},
  author       = {{Elawad, Ziad and Kleimeier, Martin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Entrepreneurial Action in the Pre-Export Phase of SMEs: A Cognitive Approach}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}