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FIRMS THAT ARE "BORN TO BE GLOBAL"

12 Sep 2007
Results were released today from a study, undertaken by a team led by Professor Peter Liesch from the University of Queensland Business School, which took a much closer look at the international venturing of Australian "born global" firms.

Based on close examination of 18 Australian firms, the team showed that these firms are characteristically different from others using a more traditional approach to growth. 

 

Built on a pride in Australia and Australian expertise, these firms recognise that geographical distance from markets can be a competitive advantage, and they are confident but not reckless in their approach to entering offshore markets. 

 

A key feature of the firms studied is that they view the whole world as their market from the start, not as a later development of a domestic market.  Importantly, they are strikingly competitive against larger firms as they manage profitable, fast-growing businesses in a way that was impossible 20 or even 10 years ago.

 

Speaking about the individuals involved in the firms studied, Professor Liesch said that many of the "born global business people are unique in that they deal with space and time in different ways to others".  He found that born global entrepreneurs use time in a similar way, undertaking multiple tasks simultaneously on a regular basis to build their company's position and to be fleet footed when the opportunity arises.

 

In addition to his colleagues from the University of Queensland, Dr Stuart Middleton and Dr Jay Weerawardena

Professor Peter Liesch, Professor Liesch was assisted extensively in this research by Dr Matthew Steen from the Australian Business Foundation.

For further information, contact:

  • Clint McGilvray
    Manager External Relations
    Australian Business Foundation
    Phone: +61 2 9458 7016
    Mobile: +61 413 285 186
    Fax: +61 2 9929 0193
    Email: clint.mcgilvray@abfoundation.com.au
  • Dr Matthew Steen
    Research Analyst
    Australian Business Foundation
    Phone: +61 2 9458 7342
    Mobile: +61 425 236 999
    Fax: +61 2 9929 0193
    Email: matthew.steen@abfoundation.com.au