Journal of Organisational Studies and Innovation
Vol. 2, no.1, Winter, 2015
HOW INTERNATIONAL KNOWLEDGE ASSETS SUPPORT CAPABILITY-BUILDING IN HIGH-TECH BORN GLOBALS?
Oualid Abidi
American University of the Middle-East

Abstract: While the sales perspective has remained predominant in prior studies on born globals and was in fact the outcome of their orientation toward international markets, this study advocates a growth perspective useful in the assessment of the benefits derived by high-tech born globals (HTBGs) from international knowledge assets. This perspective is based on the development of new capabilities in foreign markets. All things considered, a qualitative survey was carried out on 20 HTBGs having performed R&D in the province of Quebec (Canada) and elsewhere. The examination of collected data has led us to formulate the “growth scale” which assumes that HTBGs are supposed to increase their value in terms of new capabilities, as they undertake more resource-intensive entry modes. In this regard, HTBGs require the accumulation of significant international market experience so they can expand their capabilities. As a matter of fact, this international experience would help them in sustaining and strengthening their “capability-building pattern.”

Keywords: Born globals, knowledge, capability building, internationalization, high-tech sectors.