An opportunity based view of internationalization: Evidence from gems and jewelry sector in an emerging market
Description
This paper aims to better understand the internationalization of firms in traditional industries, such as gems and jewelry, in India—an emerging market context. The study adopts the opportunity-based view (OBV) as a theoretical lens to examine the antecedents of internationalization. The authors draw on empirical evidence from three case studies of Indian gems and jewelry enterprises. The findings support the proposition that internationalization is a path-dependent process of opportunity development and international venturing. This process is shaped more by international networks than by domestic networks within which entrepreneurs and firms have historically operated. In doing so, the study highlights the relevance of the opportunity-based view and underscores the importance of entrepreneurs’ backgrounds, experiences, and associated networks. Opportunity identification, learning from past experiences—including failures—and prior international exposure all play critical roles in shaping firms’ ability to recognize and exploit new opportunities for international expansion. Overall, the study demonstrates that these factors significantly influence the internationalization trajectories of firms in traditional industries in emerging markets.
Copyright Date
January 2016
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Keywords
Jewellery, Jewelry, Gems
Conference
58th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business, 27-30 June, 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
