The resource-based view (RBV) is one of the most widely accepted theories of strategic management. However, to date no systematic assessment of the RBV's level of empirical support has been conducted. In response, a sample of RBV-grounded empirical articles was analyzed from which it was found that the RBV has received only modest support overall and that this support varies considerably with the independent variable and theoretical approach employed. It is therefore suggested that scholars avoid the tendency to test models reflecting early incarnations of the RBV and instead test those that incorporate its more contemporary theoretical extensions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Empirical research on the resource-based view of the firm: an assessment and suggestions for future research

Transaction cost economics (TCE) is one of the leading perspectives in management and organizational studies, yet debate continues regarding its empirical support. In this paper, we take stock of the large body of extant research and provide a systematic assessment of empirical evidence. In all, 308 statistical tests from 63 articles, selected according to a set of clear criteria, were examined across various dimensions. We assess not only the level of empirical support for the theory, but also the degree of paradigm consensus present in the empirical literature. Our analysis shows that results are mixed: while we found support in some areas (e.g., with regard to asset specificity), we also found considerable disagreement on how to operationalize some of TCE's central constructs and propositions, and relatively low levels of empirical support in other core areas (e.g., surrounding uncertainty and performance). We conclude that a more thorough empirical grounding of the theory's foundation is crucial to its future development, and offer several strategies for doing this. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A systematic assessment of the empirical support for transaction cost economics

International Entrepreneurship research (1989–2009): A domain ontology and thematic analysis

This study uses multi-site case research to advance a set of propositions regarding the network dynamics of early-stage international new ventures. The investigative approach builds on arguments that network theory and analysis are fundamental to international entrepreneurship. In the spirit of cross-disciplinary research, perspectives from the entrepreneurship literature are embraced to help inform our understanding of international new venture networks.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2Fpalgrave.jibs.8400219.pdf

The Network Dynamics of International New Ventures

This paper offers a social network explanation for the purported relationship between internationalization and firm performance in the context of born global small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We argue that home-based social networks play a mediating role in the relationship between inward and outward internationalization and firm performance. The mediating mechanism is attributed to three information benefits of social networks: (1) knowledge of foreign market opportunities; (2) advice and experiential learning; and (3) referral trust and solidarity. Using survey data from SMEs in the largest emerging economy of China, we found some support for this mediating role of social networks in the form of guanxi . The results imply that international business managers should consider social networks as an efficient means of helping internationally oriented SMEs to go international more rapidly and profitably

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID2260506_code1051326.pdf?abstractid=2260506&mirid=3

Internationalization and the Performance of Born-Global SMEs: The Mediating Role of Social Networks

This article is based on a study of 16 in-depth case histories of New Zealand firms. It uses both the traditional and the “born-global” approaches as a framework to study the internationalization processes of the firms. The authors use the histories to conduct a systematic analysis of the extent to which firms that might be categorized as following a traditional or born-global internationalization path differ in the strategies they have used and in their prior motivations and capabilities. The main findings are that many attributes of the born-global model also characterize firms that began their internationalization along traditional lines but were radically transformed in the process of achieving global reach. This study identifies the consequences of rapid international growth, referred to as “the gusher,” among these firms and the destabilizing effects of the experience as the firm is taken in unexpected directions. The authors conclude that the born-global model has much in common with the i...

A Strategic Approach to Internationalization: A Traditional Versus a “Born-Global” Approach

The dominant paradigm of competitive strategy is now nearly two decades old, but it has proved difficult to assess its adequacy as a descriptive system, or progress its propositions about the performance consequences of different strategic designs. It is argued that this is due to an inability to compare and cumulate empirical work in the field. A meta-analytic procedure is proposed by which the empirical record can be aggregated. Results suggest that, although cost and differentiation do act as high-level discriminators of competitive strategy designs, the paradigm’s descriptions of competitive strategy should be enhanced, and that its theoretical proposition on the performance of designs has yet to be supported. A considerable agenda for further work suggests that competitive strategy research should recover something of its former salience. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

What have we learned about generic competitive strategy? A meta‐analysis

The internationalisation of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) is considered in the context of the overall configuration of strategy in these firms. This paper is based on in‐depth case studies of the internationalisation path of ten small‐ to medium‐sized manufacturing firms in New Zealand. Two distinct paths are identified, one of global, the other of regional scope. These are argued to be the product of two distinct configurations of strategy, requiring different choices in product and market scope, mode of market development, and location of manufacturing. The patterns of internationalisation produced by these configurations are in some respects at variance with the predictions of stages models of internationalisation derived from larger enterprises and economies. The influence of these configurations and the characteristics of SMEs in particular those of the decision maker on the pace of internationalisation are also considered. A conceptual model is developed from the findings of this study by integrating internationalisation theories and SME characteristics.

Colin Campbell-Hunt

Papers

A Strategic Approach to Internationalization: A Traditional Versus a “Born-Global” Approach

What have we learned about generic competitive strategy? A meta‐analysis

Paths to internationalisation among small‐ to medium‐sized firms

Explosive International Growth and Problems of Success amongst Small to Medium-Sized Firms

Research collaboration and research output: A longitudinal study of 65 biomedical scientists in a New Zealand university