In this thought-provoking book, leading experts explore why international entrepreneurship is important to the life sciences industry. From multi-disciplinary and cross-national perspectives, they question why international entrepreneurship scholars might usefully invest interest in research focused on one specific industry context. The book addresses contemporary challenges of relevance to life science firms and draws on leading-edge debates in international entrepreneurship research. Topics include: the nature of the born-global firm; the development of international capabilities and competencies; the role of local and international partnerships and alliances; competitiveness, opportunity recognition and orientation; and the role of specialized complementary assets in internationalization. It concludes by proposing an agenda for future research across the underpinning fields of innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalization. This book will prove a stimulating read for academics, students and researchers with an interest in international business, management and entrepreneurship, as well as for practitioners in the health professions or life sciences academics who are, or may become, entrepreneurs.

International entrepreneurship as a field of study is not necessarily confined to the internationalisation phenomenon, and recently advanced definitions suggest significant scope for the development and establishment of, as yet, undetermined parameters. Emerging Paradigms in International Entrepreneurship identifies key themes that collectively demonstrate the convergence of thinking at the interface between the disciplines of international business and entrepreneurship. These are: * development of the field and the effects of international entrepreneurship on a new economy * conceptual and paradigmatic developments * international entrepreneurship and the internet as a developing research agenda * contacts links and networks as process driven internationalisation * cross-sectoral, cross-national and cross-cultural comparisons of entrepreneurship * the experiential emphasis in entrepreneurial internationalisation. Explaining the complexities of enterprise in an international and sometimes global environment, this book is distinguished by the cross-disciplinary nature of its contributors and their efforts to develop new paradigmatic approaches in an area characterised by theoretical diversity and convergence. Appealing to researchers, academics and policymakers working in international business - particularly the international growth and development of small firms - and for entrepreneurship and small firm scholars this book is a must-have. Lecturers and students on post-graduate programmes would also be interested in the book as a reader.

This forward-looking volume contains state-of-the-art analysis of the current research themes and challenges influencing the internationalization of SMEs. The editors have brought together perspectives from both academics and practitioners, who in turn use theoretical and empirical studies to identify gaps in research evidence, present case studies of internationalizing SMEs, and illustrate potential for future research. The book features some of the best known researchers in the field of international entrepreneurship, and combines a range of theoretical perspectives - including network and social capital, internationalization process, and international new venture frameworks as well as knowledge, learning and absorptive capacity paradigms. This timely study will appeal strongly to academics, researchers and students focusing on business and management, international business, entrepreneurship and international marketing. It will also provide important insights for international entrepreneurs and policy-makers.