How financing and information drive international corporate entrepreneurs’ innovations

Abstract

This research combines the literature on social entrepreneurship and international corporate entrepreneurship to determine the relevance financial resources and information provided by different entities have for the innovation processes of international corporate entrepreneurs. We consider financing supplied by other companies, by national public sources, and by foreign sources; information might come from market or research sources. The study adopts an empirical approach, analyzing 4,748 international entrepreneurial Spanish firms by employing the partial least squares technique. Our results show the relevance of information and financing for international corporate entrepreneurs in developing strategic and social innovations. The latter is especially relevant because of its contribution to the creation of value in terms of employment enhancement and environmental protection. Our results also suggest that the source that provides the resource conditions the objectives that these entrepreneurs pursue when developing innovations, allowing them to maintain their competitive position in international markets and to generate social and economic value globally.