Indices of Internationalization of Family Businesses in Iran

Authors

1 PhD Student in Entrepreneurship, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran

2 Department of Management, Faculty of Humanities, Gonbad, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University of Aliabad Katoul, Iran

4 Assistant ProfessAssistant Professor, Department of Management, Shiraz University, Iranor of Management, Shiraz Branch, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to identify the internationalization indicators of family businesses. For this purpose, a two-stage qualitative research method including focus group and three-stage Delphi technique was used. The target population consisted of 10 experts with knowledge and experience on the topic of research who were purposefully selected based on snowball sampling method. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews in focus groups and a questionnaire designed according to the findings of the first stage. By using the MAXQDA software, the collected data were coding, identified and summarized by performing open and axial coding of indicators. Then, using Delphi technique, the indicators were finally approved by experts and in the next step, using selective coding, the final model framework was formed. Based on the results, 11 components and 64 indicators were identified after the end of the third round of Delphi. According to the average obtained from the Delphi triple stages, the most important indicators are the cheap and abundant raw materials, the education of the company's employees in fields related to business and internal competition, and the use of knowledge and experience of competing companies. Also among the least importance were the indicators of long-term investment, diversity in the production of products, and the study of samples of successful products in potential target markets.

Keywords


  1. فقیهی، ا.، تاج­الدین، م.، و تاج­الدین، م. 1389. بین‌المللی­شدن کسب‌و کارهای کوچک و متوسط در صنعت غذایی ارائه یک مدل علی. علوم مدیریت ایران، 17: 1-22
  2. Alchian, A.A., and Allen, W.R. 1964. University Economics. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
  3. Anglin, A.H., Reid, S.W., Short, J.C., Zachary, M.A., and Rutherford, M.W. 2017. An archival approach to measuring family influence: An organizational identity perspective. Family Business Review, 30(1): 19–6.
  4. Arregle, J.L., Naldi, L., Nordqvist, M., and Hitt, M. A. 2012. Internationalization of family–controlled firms: A study of the effects of external involvement in governance. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 36(6): 1115-1143.‏
  5. Barney, J. 1991. Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of management, 17(1): 99-120.‏
  6. Botero, I. C., Cruz, C., Massis, A.D., and Nordqvist, M. 2015. Family business research in the European context. European Journal of International Management, 9(2): 139-159.‏
  7. Chrisman, J.J., Chua, J.H., Pearson, A.W., and Barnett, T. 2012. Family involvement, family influence, and family centered non-economic goals in small firms. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 36(2): 267–293.
  8. Davidsson, P., and Honig, B. 2003. The role of human capital among nascent entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(3): 301-331.
  9. Escobar Gonzalez, C., and Gil Roig, J.M. 2016. Marketing channels for small wineries: a means–end chain approach. New Medit, 15(4): 33-41.‏
  10. European Family Business. 2012. Family business statistics. [consulted 12
    Feb 2015]. Available in http://wwweuropeanfamily businesseseu /uploads/Modules / Publications/family-business-statistics.pdf.
  11. Gielnik, M.M., Zacher, H., and Frese, M. 2012. Focus on opportunities as a mediator of the relationship between business owners' age and venture growth. Journal of Business Venturing, 27(1): 127-142.‏
  12. Hernández-Linares, R., Sarkar, S., and Cobo, M.J. 2018. Inspecting the Achilles heel: a quantitative analysis of 50 years of family business definitions. Scientometrics, 115(2): 929-951.‏
  13. Hitt, M.A., Hoskisson, R.E., and Ireland, R.D. 1994. A mid-range theory of the interactive effects of international and product diversification on innovation and performance. Journal of management, 20(2): 297-326.‏
  14. Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D., Camp, S.M., and Sexton, D.L. 2001. Guest editor's introduction to the special issue strategic entrepreneurship. Strategic Management Journal, 22(6/7): 479-492.‏
  15. Johanson, J., and Mattsson, L. G. 2015. Internationalisation in industrial systems—a network approach. In Knowledge, networks and power (pp. 111-132). Palgrave Macmillan, London.‏
  16. Karadeniz, E.E., and Göçer, K. 2007. Internationalization of small firms: A case study of Turkish small- and medium-sized enterprises. European Business Review, 19(5): 387-403.
  17. Katsikeas, C.S., and Morgan, R.E. 1994. Differences in perceptions of exporting problems based on firm size and export market experience. European journal of Marketing, 28: 17–35.
  18. Köhr, C.K., Camanzi, L., and Malorgio, G. 2018. Exploring structural and strategic correlates of difficulties in the internationalisation process of Italian wine SMEs. Wine Economics and Policy, 7(1): 13-23.‏
  19. Koopman, M., and Sebel, K. 2009. The internationalization of family firms: Facilitating and Constraining Features.‏ Jönköping University, Jönköping.
  20. Kotlar, J., and De Massis, A. 2013. Goal setting in family firms: Goal diversity, social interactions, and collective commitment to family–centered goals. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 37(6): 1263-1288.‏
  21. Kuo, A., Kao, M.S., Chang, Y.C., and Chiu, C.F. 2012. The influence of international experience on entry mode choice: Difference between family and non-family firms. European Management Journal, 30(3): 248-263.‏
  22. Laufs, K., and Schwens, C. 2014. Foreign market entry mode choice of small and medium-sized enterprises: A systematic review and future research agenda. International Business Review, 23(6): 1109-1126.‏
  23. López, M.C.P., Miranda, M.E.G., Argente-Linares, E., and López-Sánchez, L. 2018. The internationalisation of Spanish family firms through business groups: Factors affecting the profitability, and the moderating effect of the family nature of the Spanish business. Revista de Contabilidad-Spanish Accounting Review, 21(1): 82-90.‏
  24. Melin, L. 1992. Internationalization as a strategy process. Strategic Management Journal, 13(S2): 99–118
  25. Metsola, J., Leppäaho, T., Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, E., and Plakoyiannaki, E. 2020. Process in family business internationalisation: The state of the art and ways forward. International Business Review, 29(2): 101665.‏
  26. Mitter, C., Duller, C., Feldbauer-Durstmüller, B., and Kraus, S. 2014. Internationalization of family firms: the effect of ownership and governance. Review of Managerial Science, 8(1): 1-28.‏
  27. Paul, J., Parthasarathy, S., and Gupta, P. 2017. Exporting challenges of SMEs: A review and future research agenda. Journal of world business, 52(3): 327-342.
  28. Rexhepi, G. 2015. Entering new markets: Strategies for internationalization of family businesses. In Family businesses in transition economies (pp. 293-303). Springer, Cham.‏
  29. Shaw, V., and Darroch, J. 2004. Barriers to internationalisation: a study of entrepreneurial new ventures in New Zealand. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 2(4): 327-343.‏
  30. Welch, L.S., and Luostarinen, R. 1988. Internationalization: evolution of a concept.Journal of General Management, 14(2): 34-55.‏
  31. Yamin, M., and Kurt, Y. 2018. Revisiting the Uppsala internationalization model. International Marketing Review, 35 (1): 2-17.