The impact of decision-maker’s identity on SME internationalisation: Do origins matter?

Lutz Sommer, Hans Rüdiger Kaufmann, Manuel Haug, Susanne Durst

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper examines if the identity shaped by the region does have an influence on the owner–manager’s managerial behaviour. A survey approach was chosen, addressing SMEs from Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, to address the research aim. The hypotheses posed were investigated applying hierarchical cluster analysis. Based on it different clusters were identified relating to different types of owner–manager identity. The findings provide a fruitful base for a better understanding of the owner–manager’s influence on the company’s internationalisation process and assist in developing specific policies for different characters of owner– managers. Furthermore, the study’s findings suggest that owner–managers of small countries are made of other sets of identities compared with their German counterparts indicating a different course of action in terms of internationalisation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)90-113
    Number of pages24
    JournalInternational Journal of Business and Globalisation
    Volume5
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

    Keywords

    • entrepreneurial identity
    • entrepreneurship education
    • internationalisation process
    • SME

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