Skip to main content
Log in

Rapid internationalisation enabled by the Internet: The case of a knowledge intensive company

  • Published:
Journal of International Entrepreneurship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper we will show how knowledge intensive firms can quicken their internationalisation by using the Internet as a sales channel. When properly applied the Internet can provide a way to decrease the effects of liability of foreignness and resource scarcity, and herewith contribute to an increased speed of internationalisation. The focus of the empirical research is on a Finnish knowledge intensive company and the development of its international operations and sales channels. The study applies the longitudinal case study method when examining in-depth the development of Futuremark Corporation for a period of five years.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barney J (1991) Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. J Manage 17:99–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crick D, Jones MV (2000) Small high technology firms and international high technology markets. J Intern Market 8:63–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dana LP, Etemad H, Wright RM (1999) In: Wright R (eds) Research in global strategic management. JAI Press Inc, Stamford, Conn., pp. 3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunning JH, Wymbs C (2001) The challenge of Electronic Markets for International Business Theory. Intern J Eco Business 8:273–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenhardt KM (1989) Building theories from Case-Study Research. Acad Manage Rev 14:532–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabrielsson M (1999) Sales channel strategies for international expansion. Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrielsson M, Kirpalani MVH, Luostarinen R (2002) Multiple Channels Strategies in the European Personal Computer Industry. J Intern Market 10:73–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulati R (1998) Alliances and networks. Strat Manage J (19):293–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulati R, Singh H (1998) The architecture of cooperation: managing coordination costs and appropriation concerns in strategic alliances. Admin Sci Quart 43:781–814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy KG, Magrath AJ, (1988) Marketing channel management. Foresman and Company USA, Scott Scott, Foresman and Company, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Hymer S (1976) The international operations of national firms: a study of direct investments. MIT Press

  • Johanson J, Vahlne J-E (1977) The internationalization process of the firm-A model of knowledge development and increasing foreign market commitments. J Intern Bus Stud 8:23–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karagozoglu N, Lindell M (1998) Internationalization of small and medium-sized technology-based firms: An exploratory study. J Small Bus Manage 44–59

  • Kotha S, Rindova VP, Rothaermel FT (2001) Assets and actions: Firm-specific factors in the internationalization of U.S. Internationalization of the firm. J Intern Bus Stud 32:769–791

    Google Scholar 

  • Luostarinen R (1979) Internationalization of the firm. Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki, Finland

    Google Scholar 

  • Luostarinen R, Gabrielsson M (2004) Finnish Perspectives of International Entrepreneurship. In: Dana, LP (ed) Handbook of research on international entrpreneurship. Edward Elgar: Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • McDougall PP, Shane S, Oviatt BM (1994) Explaining the formation of international new ventures—the limits of theories from international-business research. J Bus Venturing 9:469–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt BM, McDougall PP (1994) Toward a theory of international new ventures. J Intern Bus Stud 25:45–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Peteraf MA (1993) The cornerstones of competitive advantage: A resource-based view. Strat Manage J 14:179–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen B, Pedersen (1999) Fast and slow resource commitments to foreign markets: What causes the difference? J Intern Manage 5:73–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter ME (2001) Strategy and the Internet. Harvard Business Review 63–78

  • Preece SB, Miles G, Baetz MC (1999) Explaining the international intensity and global diversity of early-stage technology-based firms. J Bus Venturing 14:259–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrader R, McDougall PP, Oviatt BM (2000) How new ventures exploit trade-offs among international risk factors: Lessons for accelerated internationalization of the 21st century. Acad of Manage J 43:1227–1247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh N, Kundu S (2002) Explaining the growth of E-commerce corporations (ECCs): An extension and application of the eclectic paradigm. J Intern Bus Stud 33:679–697

    Google Scholar 

  • Stinchcombe AL (1965) In: March JG (eds) Handbook of Organizations. Chicago, pp. 142–193

  • Yin RK (1991) Case study method sage. Newbury Park, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaheer S (1995) Overcoming the liability of foreignness. Acad Manage J 38:341–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra SA, George G (2001) International entrepreneurship: the current status of the field and future research agenda. Georgia State University, Atlanta

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pia Arenius.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arenius, P., Sasi, V. & Gabrielsson, M. Rapid internationalisation enabled by the Internet: The case of a knowledge intensive company. J Int Entrepr 3, 279–290 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-006-7856-x

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-006-7856-x

Keywords

Navigation