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Institutional effect on born global firms in China: the role of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War strategies

Man Zhang (Department of Management, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA)
Qian Gao (Department of International Economy and Trade, Anhui University, Hefei, China)
Jane V. Wheeler (Department of Management, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA)
Jungsook Kwon (University of Ulsan)

Journal of Asia Business Studies

ISSN: 1558-7894

Article publication date: 4 January 2016

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of Sun Tzu’s significant strategies on the relationship between the institutional environment and international performance of Chinese born global firms, a type of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) characterized by the company’s limited resources and its early efforts to internationalize.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a multi-case analysis of interviews conducted with four chosen born global firms, coupled with public database and Web site searches. Through the use of qualitative methods, propositions were developed.

Findings

This paper provides insights regarding how the institutional environment, both formal and informal, has a strong positive relationship with born global firm’s international performance. Moreover, Sun Tzu’s significant strategies play a critical role in the internationalization process of born global firms in emerging markets.

Originality/value

Although existing studies discuss the application of Eastern philosophical strategies adopted by firms in emerging markets, to the best of our knowledge, this is one of the earliest studies which evaluates the moderation effect of Sun Tzu’s significant strategies on the relationship between institutional environment and business performance. The paper contributes to scholarly discourse on the influencing factors of born global firm’s internationalization process. It also has practical relevance to international entrepreneurs and SMEs from emerging markets.

Keywords

Citation

Zhang, M., Gao, Q., Wheeler, J.V. and Kwon, J. (2016), "Institutional effect on born global firms in China: the role of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War strategies", Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-11-2014-0084

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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