JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

Globalization of business and development of new technologies have enabled the emerge of firms that aim at international markets right away or soon after their foundation. In these knowledge-intensive, flexibly operating firms the role of the entrepreneur(s) is highlighted. Earlier studies have reported that entrepreneur’s earlier experience, networks and behaviour influence the performance of a firm. The purpose of this study is to enlighten how entrepreneurs influence the ability of born global high tech start ups to exploit international opportunities. Furthermore, the aim is to understand the influence of the entrepreneur’s earlier experience, networks, behaviour and character as well as to elucidate how the entrepreneur’s influence changes after the start up phase. For this study six entrepreneurs from three case companies were interviewed. The results propose that entrepreneur’s experience, networks and behaviour all have an influence on this kind of firms and by understanding this, entrepreneurs can better understand the consequences of their actions and positively influence the performance of the company.