Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to enhance the understanding of a born global firm’s early

internationalization process and the entrepreneur’s decisions regarding internationalization by using

effectuation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– An explorative case study is used to explore whether

effectuation theory is a fruitful alternative perspective compared with the dominant paradigm

(causation), which is primarily used in earlier studies on born globals.

Findings

– The study shows how a born global company could enter many markets in a short time,

by co-operating with local network partners. The founders’ prior knowledge and networks were

important to understand the rapid international expansion. Effectuation theory focuses on the

entrepreneurs’ ability to create opportunities together with network partners and is a useful tool to

understand the development in the born global firm.

Research limitations/implications

– The study shows that effectuation theory holds promise for

developing the international entrepreneurship area. Future research is recommended to focus not only

on the entrepreneur’s competencies, but also on the entrepreneur’s behavior, including during the time

before they started the firm.

Practical implications

– Decision-makers in the early development of born global firms are

recommended to use his/her own and his/her company’s resources and network. Also advantage

should be taken of opportunities when they are recognized or created, instead of focusing on

traditional planning activities.

Originality/value

– There are few studies that have used effectuation theory as a basis for

understanding the early development of a born global firm.