Dans cet article, nous analysons, grâce à un vaste ensemble de données longitudinales (1997-2005), la façon dont 6 079 entreprises exportatrices canadiennes ont pénétré les marchés étrangers. Nos résultats montrent que de moins en moins d'entreprises commencent par exporter aux États-Unis. Cette tendance suggère donc que le nombre d'entreprises auxquelles le modèle des stades de l'internationalisation ne s'applique pas augmente. Nos résultats indiquent de plus que les gouvernements qui veulent soutenir les entreprises en matière d'exportations devraient cibler les petites et les jeunes entreprises, puisque ce sont celles qui sont les plus susceptibles de faire face à des obstacles et qui ont le plus avantage à exporter sur un plus grand nombre de marchés étrangers.
Purpose This paper aims to study the learning-by-exporting effect among small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, the authors propose a dynamic perspective and suggest that learning-by-exporting is duration-dependent and contingent upon the born global internationalization strategy. In earlier phases of export activities, exporting has had a strong positive effect on SMEs' innovations, which, however, diminishes over time. This inverted U-shape effect is even more distinct for born global firms.
Design/methodology/approach The authors used longitudinal data with 1,689 Canadian SMEs to test their hypotheses. A two-stage instrumental approach is used to take into account the endogeneity of the born global international strategy on new product innovations.
Findings Born globals learn faster at the early stages of exporting but also restrain their innovations more strongly than gradual internationalizers in the longer run, leveling out the initial learning advantages of newness. Thus, this study suggests that born globals have a significantly different learning trajectory than gradual internationalizers.
Practical implications To maximize the benefits of exporting on innovation, managers should focus on learning during the initial years of exporting. However, once this period has passed, it is advisable for managers to invest in research and development as well as other innovation activities to complement the learning effect of exporting. Born global firms experience more rapid learning at the initial stage of exporting, but such learning effects wear off quicker later than gradually internationalized firms. For SME managers, this study helps draw their attention to the learning benefits of exporting in the initial years of export participation.
Originality/value This study corroborates recent studies arguing for a "learning-by-exporting" effect. Providing longitudinal firm-level evidence, the authors also forward a dynamic perspective and show that learning by exporting is duration dependent and contingent upon the market entry strategy pursued by SMEs.
