Resource management in international new ventures - developing a competitive advantage through internationalisation

摘要

Using a single-case study approach, this paper portrays and discusses the process of how a new venture develops a competitive advantage through instant and continuous internationalisation. We find that this process consists of three interrelated phases: 1) conceptualisation; 2) creation; 3) leveraging of competitive advantage. Arguing that resources need to be managed adequately to create a competitive advantage, we study various resource management activities employed during the various phases. We show that, whereas the new venture concentrates on identifying the appropriate (international) market during the first phase, the focus in the second phase is on the structuring and bundling of resources. During the final stage, the international new venture concentrates on leveraging; i.e., on applying its capabilities to create value for the firm and its customers.