Openness strategies and the success of international entrepreneurship

Purpose External knowledge is a key resource for the success and the survival of born global firms; however, existing models provide minimal evidence on how these firms should source this knowledge resource. Thus, the purpose of this research is to increase understanding on the impact of diverse knowledge search and knowledge formal protection in international new ventures (INVs). Design/methodology/approach The study uses a quantitative methodology based on a sample of start-ups from the Spanish Community Innovation Survey data. Using ordinary least squares regressions on a 10-year period panel data, this research tests the moderator role of a heterogeneous base of international partners and formal knowledge appropriation strategy on the relationship between start-ups and their export performance. Findings The results show that compared to non-born global start-ups, born global firms benefit more from establishing relationships with a set of heterogeneous international partners. By contrast, all start-ups benefit from an extensive appropriation strategy if they establish such alliances with diverse international partners. Originality/value The study extends current theory on international entrepreneurship by providing a new theoretical framework for INVs of both the extensive use of formal mechanisms of knowledge protection and the access to heterogeneous and distant knowledge. This study has also several implications for knowledge management domain.