AI’s implications for International Entrepreneurship in the digital and pandemic world : From external and internal perspectives

Abstract: In the fourth industrial revolution, technological advancement and digital transformation are inevitable, which impact individuals, organizations, and governments tremendously and extensively. The current ongoing pandemic covid -19 has been a catalyst that accelerates the pace and scale of embracing digitalization, which leads to a dramatic shift in the business environment. Artificial Intelligence (AI) attracts increasing attention based on the business opportunities and values that can be created from both internal and external aspects alike. Grounding on the digital context, AI as an enabler from the external perspective; AI as a core resource from the internal perspective, the research attempts to identify 1) AI's implication on international entrepreneurs' possibilities to explore business opportunities;2) AI's significance for international entrepreneurs to enhance performance and generate value alike in the international market.  The research conducts qualitative research based on six case studies to examine and explore the aforementioned research area.  The research supports the theoretical framework that AI as an enabler provides international entrepreneurs with conducive conditions to testify and experiment with new business initiatives, which positively impacts spurring innovation and opening a new wide window of business opportunity across borders. In parallel, the research is consistent with the theories that AI is one of the valuable resources from the resource-based view, making contributions to SMEs’ enhanced performance, which paves the way for international entrepreneurs to stay in the business competition. In addition, the study proposes a combination of entrepreneurs' heuristic approaches in making strategic decisions with the assistance of AI in uncertain circumstances is crucial in conducting business in the digital environment. The research highlights the integration of innovation resources from external and internal aspects alike to stimulate and catalyse the growth of international entrepreneurship in the digital industry in the established markets. The research accentuates pandemic Covid-19 causes the changes in the digital environment, which affects international entrepreneurial activities. The article concludes with the above-mentioned circumstances' implications on international entrepreneurship, proposing a theoretical framework and providing an agenda for future research in the area.