Born global companies founded by young entrepreneurs. A multiple case study

摘要

Based on a multiple case study research, the paper aims at providing some first evidence on the phenomenon of 'born global' companies (BGCs), i.e., companies that internationalise their activities from inception or shortly thereafter, founded by young entrepreneurs, by analysing those age-related factors that facilitate or hinder young entrepreneurs to start a BGC. An in-depth qualitative analysis has been performed based on eight BGCs founded by Italian young entrepreneurs. Results highlight that young entrepreneurs, being more financially constrained than old entrepreneurs, tend to move towards countries where those resources are more easily and widely available. Moreover, we found that young entrepreneurs seem to invest heavily on their social capital to countervail the young age effect. Finally, results suggest that -for young entrepreneurs - prior experience abroad has amplified relevance in the internationalisation process of a company.