International Network and Growth Orientation of Born Global Firms – Do they really matter?

Abstract

Born global firms – a small-scaled firm that operates internationally since their inception or near inception and generally, entrepreneurial in nature – is the most rapidly emerging breed of companies in today’s global business world (Covin & Miller, 2013). Thus, both researchers and practitioners are of high interest in understanding how born global firms achieve such a success in most dynamic and competitive international markets (Lampe, et al., 2019). Firms with higher international growth orientation and network orientation are more internationalized than others, have a larger share of sales, a larger foreign customer base compare to less growth-oriented firms with weak network ties and thus, it eventually leads to higher international performance of born global firms (Chun, et al., 2014; Dimitratos, et al., 2012; Jantunen, et al., 2005; Mort & Weerawardena, 2006; Nummela, et al., 2005; Stam & Elfring, 2008). Thus, the main purpose of this study is to investigating the impact of international network orientation and international growth orientation on international performance of born global firms in a developing country context, Sri Lanka.