Fast Born Globals - An analysis of International Entrepreneurship in the Mobile Applications Industry
Abstract: The introduction of smartphones caused a disruptive change in the mobile telecommunications industry. Digital distribution platforms demounted market entry barriers and allow software firms to easily distribute their products on a global scale. This paper examines whether the Born Global theory is applicable to these recently founded and globally active mobile software development firms.In a first step a quantitative analysis is exerted in order to determine if Born Globals are a prevalent phenomenon in the mobile application industry. In a second step the comparative case study method is applied to compare the characteristics and behavioural patterns of selected cases to Born Globals in other industries.It is found that companies qualifying as Born Globals are numerous in the mobile application industry. However, the applicability of Born Global theory to these firms in terms of determinant characteristics is limited and is found to depend on the companies' business model. Developers monetizing their applications through digital distribution platforms show significant differences in important characteristics compared to Born Globals in other industries. On the contrary, for companies monetizing their applications through other channels and hence using the platforms solely for distribution purposes, comparability to Born Globals in other industries is given.
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