International entrepreneurship in small family firms: a cross-case analysis

Purpose of the paper: This research aims to identify the main drivers that spur family entrepreneurs to implement internationalization strategies in a social and geographical context that appears anchored in the past and that does not stimulate business development overseas. Methodology: This research uses a cross-case analysis, the most suitable method to highlight similarities and differences across cases. To gather and analyze the data, this study uses an inductive approach. Results: Novel best practices are revealed and help to enhance international entrepreneurship in a difficult setting of change reluctance and loyalty to a past anchored culture. Moreover, the findings show which elements encourage and discourage international entrepreneurship. Finally, the study offers an interpretive model derived for the interpretation of similar cases. Research limitations: The main drawback of the study is its explorative analysis of a small sample of family firms. Academic and practical implications: Theoretically, this study contributes to the literature on international entrepreneurship of small family firms embedded in unfriendly contexts by determining the main drivers that help internationalization. For practitioners, this research offers best practices to inspire successful resilient behaviors and decisions for firms that desire to sell their products all over the world. Originality of the paper: The study elucidates the relevance of the family, the firm and the context as the main drivers in improving international entrepreneurship by balancing contextual obstacles with entrepreneurs’ ambitions of international growth and development.