Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examines the founder-level drivers of startups’ intention to internationalize. Using a four-stage mixed-methods design—literature review, expert interviews, survey-based structural equation modeling ( N = 105), and qualitative validation—we develop and refine a model grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior. The final model identifies three significant predictors of internationalization intention: ambition and mindset, knowledge of the foreign market, and first-mover advantage, with “ambition and mindset” exerting the strongest influence. Conversely, foreign-market networks and partner support show limited relevance at the intention stage, suggesting their greater importance during the transition from intention to action. The findings advance founder-centric theorizing in early internationalization and offer actionable insights for policymakers, accelerators, and investors.
Authors: Ashutosh Kumar, Orestis Terzidis
Institution: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7155845486