AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

SUNDAY
MNE Knowledge Diffusion and Intellectual Property Rights
Roger Smeets, Amsterdam Business School
We study the extent to which a country's strength of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection moderates
knowledge diffusion from multinationals (MNEs). Following the opposing views in the IPR debate, we propose a
negative effect of IPR strength on horizontal knowledge diffusion, and a positive effect on vertical knowledge
diffusion. Using a firm-level dataset of large, publicly traded firms in 21 developed countries, we find partial
support for these expectations. Strong IPR indeed reduces horizontal knowledge diffusion, while it stimulates
backward (to suppliers) knowledge diffusion. Somewhat unexpectedly however, we also find that forward (to
customers) knowledge diffusion decreases with IPR strength. (For more information, please contact: Roger
Smeets, Amsterdam Business School, Netherlands: r.smeets@uva.nl)
Session: 1.1.11 - Interactive
Track: 11 - SMEs and Entrepreneurship
Building Theory Through Case Study Research
Presented On: July 1, 2012 - 09:00-10:15
Chair: Ben Kedia, University of Memphis
Phases of Foreign Growth and Triggering Factors in the Internationalisation of Small Knowledge Intensive Firms
(SKIFs)
Antonella Zucchella, University of Pavia
Diala Kabbara, University of Pavia
Small knowledge intensive firms (SKIFs) have demonstrated an early and fast internationalisation process, if
compared to other firms. They may be thus considered a paradigmatic case for a better understanding of the
dynamics over time of the internationalisation process in emerging industries (Bell, 1995; Bell, McNaughton,
Young and Crick, 2004). Their internationalisation process is deeply embedded in their business model and in
their growth path (Onetti et al., Zucchella, Kabbara, 2011). In order to attain a deeper understanding of the
internationalisation process of SKIFs, its phases and its triggering factors, we analyse and interpret international
growth by studying three different SKIFs belonging to different industries inside the knowledge intensive and
science-based sector: software, laser and biotechnology. In framing our research project we build on different
process based models that have studied the internationalisation process of international new ventures (Jones
and Coviello, 2005; Johanson and Vahlne, 2009; Zucchella and Scabini, 2007; Gabrielsson et al., 2008).
Findings show that the SKIFs growth and internationalisation are deeply intertwined and they may be analysed
through a distinct series of phases, characterised by common triggering factors. The latter are mostly related to
the firm capacity to access relevant networks and to develop strategic partnerships. (For more information,
please contact: Antonella Zucchella, University of Pavia, Italy: antonella.zucchella@unipv.it)
The Impact of a High Level of International Commitment on SMEs
Igor Kalinic, University of Groningen
Cipriano Forza, University of Padova
A growing number of Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face the international environment not only for market
purposes but also for sourcing and producing at a lower cost. Due to their size, a high level of international
commitment can have huge impacts on SMEs' structure and strategy. By analyzing five cases, we explore the
organizational change that occurs within headquarters. It emerges that establishing a production unit abroad
implies a continuous and radical change for the manufacturing SMEs, but provides them with organizational
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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