A Global Mindset — A Prerequisite for Successful Internationalization?

Abstract This study offers a contribution to our understanding of the role of a global mindset in the successful internationalization of small and medium-sized companies. The particular focus is on the drivers of the global mindset and the connection with performance. We created a framework and tested it, empirically, with a representative sample of small Finnish companies in the field of information and communications technology (ICT). The findings indicate that managerial experience and market characteristics are important drivers of the global mindset, which, in turn, is one of the key parameters of international performance. The paper includes our conclusions, a discussion of the limitations of the study and the managerial implications, and suggestions for future research. Resume La presente etude se propose de faire comprendre le role que joue la mentalite globale dans l'internationalisation heureuse des petites et moyennes entreprises. Nous nous appesantissons surtout sur les facteurs motivants de la mentalite et sur ses rapports avec la performance. Nous creons un cadre que nous testons, de facon empirique, a partir d'un echantillon representatif de petites entreprises finnoises operant dans le secteur des Technologies de l'information et de la communication (ICT). Les resultats indiquent que l'experience en matiere de gestion et les caracteristiques du marche sont des catalyseurs importants de la mentalite globale qui, a son tour, est l'un des parametres cle de la performance internationale. L'etude degage egalement nos conclusions, ses implications en matiere de gestion, ses limites et propose des pistes de recherche futures.

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