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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Born Global Firms, Internet, and New Forms of Internationalization

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Although Internet is widely acknowledged to facilitate the rapid internationalization of born global firms (BGs), it is less known how such firms actually go about it. The current chapter specifically explores Internet-enabled internationalization (IEI) in the context of BGs. Based on e-adoption, international marketing and internationalization literatures, a conceptualization of IEI modes is suggested along three key dilemmas, assumed to underlie IEI mode configurations, including - functionality, localization and service directness. Three cases of Internet-enabled internationalizing born global firms (IEI BGs) from small open economies are then presented, as part of an effort towards conceptual refinement and fine tuning. The analysis culminates in the formulation of six propositions uniquely characterizing the Internet-enabled internationalization of BGs. The study’s main contributions are in highlighting the critical role of online communities in IEI, and in suggesting a role for randomness in website localization decisions. Overall, it is here suggested that IEI BGs tend to opt for communication-oriented, language-differentiated and direct service websites. Finally, conclusions are provided, limitations acknowledged and future research venues are outlined.