An integrative research model of international entrepreneurship

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature in entrepreneurship and international entrepreneurship (IE) and propose an integrative research model of IE. Design/methodology/approach – In this conceptual paper the authors first present a comparative analysis of common research themes in entrepreneurship and IE. Based on research gaps in both fields and the extent to which core concepts of entrepreneurship is adopted in IE the authors then propose a unifying framework for IE research.Findings – From a comparative literature review we found IE acknowledges the importance of the core concepts and perspectives from entrepreneurship, but empirical investigation embracing them is minimal. Therefore, the core concepts of entrepreneurship, and in particular, entrepreneurs’ capabilities and skills, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and opportunity recognition (OR) need to be addressed in IE. Furthermore, IE as a socially embedded activity necessitates investigation from a network perspective.Originality/value – Building on findings from entrepreneurship and their implications for IE we propose a model contributing to entrepreneurship in general and IE in particular, as well as internationalization and network literatures. This paper integrates both process and outcome-oriented network perspectives which is uncommon in both fields. The paper provides a starting point for further theoretical and empirical refinement and advancement in IE by borrowing concepts from ‘hard core’ entrepreneurship and IB literatures simultaneously.