Per Servais

The plasticity of international start-ups

I have always been interested in small businesses and how and why they internationalise, especially digitally (digi-preneurs). Entrepreneurial leadership then becomes central and how teams, well-being and boundary spanning are realised in transnational small businesses. I also do research in entrepreneurial "sourcing", digital, and immigrant entrepreneurship, for example in a project with Ukrainian refugees. The research area is within Management, between Entrepreneurship and International business. I am active in the Knowledge Environment Digital Transformations where I work together with colleagues from Information Science.

The research field I study is in three areas;

Entrepreneurial Internationalization (International Opportunity Alertness, E/M business networks, founding teams – virtual teams, Portfolio Entrepreneurs, Business model ambidexterity/synchronization/lean internationalization, change management). 

International Entrepreneurship (Transnational Entrepreneurship, Diaspora Entrepreneurs, Returnee entrepreneurs, Emerging market entrepreneurship and sustainable internationalization, Imprint theory, talent management).

International New Ventures (event driven – outcome driven, domestic driven – customer driven, import/supplier orientation, Born Global Superstars – hidden champions, signal theory, Cultural capital, local networks).