Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs

PURPOSE: Facing the research gap of entrepreneurial learning by self-expatriated technology-based entrepreneurs, the purpose of this research is to explore those entrepreneurs’ beliefs and experiences across expatriation to identify the enhancement of their competencies. METHODOLOGY: Within a qualit...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado, Jörg Freiling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol19/issue3/JEMI_Vol19_Issue3_2023_Article1.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850083595716132864
author Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado
Jörg Freiling
author_facet Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado
Jörg Freiling
author_sort Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado
collection DOAJ
description PURPOSE: Facing the research gap of entrepreneurial learning by self-expatriated technology-based entrepreneurs, the purpose of this research is to explore those entrepreneurs’ beliefs and experiences across expatriation to identify the enhancement of their competencies. METHODOLOGY: Within a qualitative and exploratory multiple case theory-building approach, data was collected from twelve technology entrepreneurs from Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Israel that went to the following destination countries: Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, and the Netherlands. With interview data as the primary source, the data analysis rests on a qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Data allows structuring techpreneurs’ experience of expatriation along the following steps: (a) arrival in the destination country and initial process of socialization, (b) engaging in activities to get familiar with the culture of the destination country, (c) the gradual comprehensive understanding of the new context, and (d) comparisons between the home and destination country. Expatriation had an evident impact on the technology-based entrepreneurs that materializes in three groups of competencies: entrepreneurial competencies, knowledge and innovative competencies, and international competencies. Entrepreneurial competencies relate to relational and behavioral skills and the learning of doing business in different contexts. Concerning knowledge and innovative competencies, creativity, learning new techniques and international innovation environment stand at the fore. Finally, international competencies relate to the acceptance of different cultures (multicultural learning and perception of cultural differences), developing a sense of an international community and an international innovation culture. IMPLICATIONS: This study evidenced the influence of expatriation experiences on the training of skills of technology-based entrepreneurs, in a specific approach to entrepreneurial, innovative, and intercultural competencies. The research portrays self-expatriation as an opportunity for technology-based entrepreneurs to develop different competencies being helpful to innovate, to manage business and to operate in international markets. Universities and innovators may recognize their discretion to develop programs for people like former students who want to self-expatriate. In the same vein, government can design policy to attract self-expatriate in innovations hubs, considering that local inhabitants can benefit from the cultural exchange. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study contributes to better understanding the influence of self-expatriation experiences on the development of skills of technology-based entrepreneurs. Compared to previous studies, it advances research through providing a wider range of learning from expatriation experiences beyond the effect of internationalization on market knowledge and cultural aspects. Furthermore, this study focuses the process, not the results of self-expatriation to understand entrepreneurs’ learning.
format Article
id doaj-art-bf60e2b571ea4cca827f37fd09513951
institution DOAJ
issn 2299-7326
language English
publishDate 2023-01-01
publisher Cognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and Science
record_format Article
series Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation
spelling doaj-art-bf60e2b571ea4cca827f37fd095139512025-08-20T02:44:16ZengCognitione Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge and ScienceJournal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation2299-73262023-01-0119374610.7341/20231931Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneursHilka Pelizza Vier Machado0Jörg Freiling1Professor at UniCesumar University and the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. Researcher at the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development, BrazilFull Professor, Faculty for Business Studies and Economics, LEMEX – Chair for Small Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Bremen, Enrique-Schmidt-Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, GermanyPURPOSE: Facing the research gap of entrepreneurial learning by self-expatriated technology-based entrepreneurs, the purpose of this research is to explore those entrepreneurs’ beliefs and experiences across expatriation to identify the enhancement of their competencies. METHODOLOGY: Within a qualitative and exploratory multiple case theory-building approach, data was collected from twelve technology entrepreneurs from Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Israel that went to the following destination countries: Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, and the Netherlands. With interview data as the primary source, the data analysis rests on a qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Data allows structuring techpreneurs’ experience of expatriation along the following steps: (a) arrival in the destination country and initial process of socialization, (b) engaging in activities to get familiar with the culture of the destination country, (c) the gradual comprehensive understanding of the new context, and (d) comparisons between the home and destination country. Expatriation had an evident impact on the technology-based entrepreneurs that materializes in three groups of competencies: entrepreneurial competencies, knowledge and innovative competencies, and international competencies. Entrepreneurial competencies relate to relational and behavioral skills and the learning of doing business in different contexts. Concerning knowledge and innovative competencies, creativity, learning new techniques and international innovation environment stand at the fore. Finally, international competencies relate to the acceptance of different cultures (multicultural learning and perception of cultural differences), developing a sense of an international community and an international innovation culture. IMPLICATIONS: This study evidenced the influence of expatriation experiences on the training of skills of technology-based entrepreneurs, in a specific approach to entrepreneurial, innovative, and intercultural competencies. The research portrays self-expatriation as an opportunity for technology-based entrepreneurs to develop different competencies being helpful to innovate, to manage business and to operate in international markets. Universities and innovators may recognize their discretion to develop programs for people like former students who want to self-expatriate. In the same vein, government can design policy to attract self-expatriate in innovations hubs, considering that local inhabitants can benefit from the cultural exchange. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study contributes to better understanding the influence of self-expatriation experiences on the development of skills of technology-based entrepreneurs. Compared to previous studies, it advances research through providing a wider range of learning from expatriation experiences beyond the effect of internationalization on market knowledge and cultural aspects. Furthermore, this study focuses the process, not the results of self-expatriation to understand entrepreneurs’ learning.https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol19/issue3/JEMI_Vol19_Issue3_2023_Article1.pdftechnology-based entrepreneursinnovationentrepreneursskillscompetenciesexpatriation
spellingShingle Hilka Pelizza Vier Machado
Jörg Freiling
Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation
technology-based entrepreneurs
innovation
entrepreneurs
skills
competencies
expatriation
title Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
title_full Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
title_fullStr Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
title_full_unstemmed Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
title_short Expatriation-enhanced competencies: A multiple case study of technology-based entrepreneurs
title_sort expatriation enhanced competencies a multiple case study of technology based entrepreneurs
topic technology-based entrepreneurs
innovation
entrepreneurs
skills
competencies
expatriation
url https://jemi.edu.pl/uploadedFiles/file/all-issues/vol19/issue3/JEMI_Vol19_Issue3_2023_Article1.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT hilkapelizzaviermachado expatriationenhancedcompetenciesamultiplecasestudyoftechnologybasedentrepreneurs
AT jorgfreiling expatriationenhancedcompetenciesamultiplecasestudyoftechnologybasedentrepreneurs