The earliness of exporting and creeping sclerosis? The moderating effects of firm age, size and centralization

D'Angelo, A. and Buck, T. (2019) The earliness of exporting and creeping sclerosis? The moderating effects of firm age, size and centralization. International Business Review, 28(3), pp. 428-437. (doi: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2018.11.002)

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Abstract

By using a sample of 644 manufacturing firms in four EU countries and five regions, we investigate the earliness/exporting relationship. Firstly, we examine the firm’s ability to retain LAN over time as it gets older and bigger. Secondly, we examine the role played by the firm’s decision-making structure. Our results reveal that exporting sclerosis does set in, as age and size of the firm significantly and negatively affect the earliness/exporting relationship. In addition, however, we find that centralization plays a role in the sclerotic effects of size (though only weakly for age), exacerbating their moderating effects on the earliness/exporting relationship. Our study claims to contribute to internationalization research by advancing the idea that LAN is not path-dependent but subject to liabilities. Beyond age and size, we add the more nuanced “liability of centralization” to boundary conditions for retaining LAN. Theoretical and managerial implications emerge.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:D'Angelo, Dr Alfredo and Buck, Professor Trevor
Authors: D'Angelo, A., and Buck, T.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
Journal Name:International Business Review
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0969-5931
ISSN (Online):1873-6149
Published Online:15 November 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in International Business Review 28(3):428-437
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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