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International activities of knowledge‐intensive small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises The example of an open source software firm

International activities of knowledge‐intensive small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises The example... Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that explains international activities of open source software (OSS) firms. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews relevant literature related to international operations of knowledge‐intensive firms, especially in the software industry. Theoretical development is based here on a combination of the network approach, international new venture theory and inward–outward internationalization. Findings – The findings in this study suggest that the international activities of OSS firms can be divided into project activities and business activities. Project activities include inward and outward linkages, and partner identification. Business activities include domestic and partner network activities that can lead to international business as well. Research implications – For scholars, the framework provides a new approach to explain many international activities of OSS firms by integrating three international business theories. In addition, it provides good starting point for further empirical examination. Practical implications – The framework helps managers gain a better understanding of complex circumstances embedded into the international activities of OSS firms. With that better understanding, the managers can focus their activities, which helps further to improve their firms' competitiveness engendered by the international activities in the OSS development. Originality/value – The framework developed in this study is believed to be the first serious attempt to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of international activities of OSS firms. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Management Research News Emerald Publishing

International activities of knowledge‐intensive small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises The example of an open source software firm

Timo Pykäläinen; Arto Ojala
Management Research News , Volume 32 (7): 14 – Jun 19, 2009
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References (72)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0140-9174
DOI
10.1108/01409170910965242
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that explains international activities of open source software (OSS) firms. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews relevant literature related to international operations of knowledge‐intensive firms, especially in the software industry. Theoretical development is based here on a combination of the network approach, international new venture theory and inward–outward internationalization. Findings – The findings in this study suggest that the international activities of OSS firms can be divided into project activities and business activities. Project activities include inward and outward linkages, and partner identification. Business activities include domestic and partner network activities that can lead to international business as well. Research implications – For scholars, the framework provides a new approach to explain many international activities of OSS firms by integrating three international business theories. In addition, it provides good starting point for further empirical examination. Practical implications – The framework helps managers gain a better understanding of complex circumstances embedded into the international activities of OSS firms. With that better understanding, the managers can focus their activities, which helps further to improve their firms' competitiveness engendered by the international activities in the OSS development. Originality/value – The framework developed in this study is believed to be the first serious attempt to provide a deeper theoretical understanding of international activities of OSS firms.

Journal

Management Research News – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jun 19, 2009

Keywords: Operations management; Systems software; Small to medium‐sized enterprises; International business

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