What does this research mean for the field?

Microfoundational mechanisms, such as opportunity recognition and resource mobilization, mediate the translation of entrepreneurial ecosystem structures into small firm internationalization outcomes, which are further shaped by contextual moderators like ecosystem maturity and institutional quality. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To harmonize conceptual boundaries between international business and entrepreneurial ecosystem literature and synthesize findings into an integrative framework explaining small firm internationalization.

August 28, 2026Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development

The role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in small firm internationalization: a systematic review and integrative model

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Authors

MMMutaju Isaack MarobheUniversity of Agder AWAndreas WaldUniversity of Agder

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Implication

Systematic review reveals microfoundational mechanisms linking entrepreneurial ecosystems to small firm internationalization, highlighting contextual moderators that govern global expansion.

Key Points

To harmonize conceptual boundaries between international business and entrepreneurial ecosystem literature and synthesize findings into an integrative framework explaining small firm internationalization.
Conducted a systematic literature review analyzing 43 peer-reviewed articles focused on entrepreneurial ecosystems and small firm internationalization.
Applied the Gioia methodology to generate inductive thematic codes and synthesize cross-disciplinary concepts.
Identified four foundational micro-mechanisms—opportunity recognition, resource mobilization, network activation, and learning—mediating ecosystem support and internationalization outcomes.
Identified five key contextual moderators shaping the efficacy of these mechanisms: ecosystem maturity, institutional quality, digital embeddedness, industry characteristics, and prior international experience.

Cite This Study

Marobhe et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a91467bd15324a1df3aa22a https://doi.org/10.1108/jsbed-02-2026-0152

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Implication

Systematic review reveals microfoundational mechanisms linking entrepreneurial ecosystems to small firm internationalization, highlighting contextual moderators that govern global expansion.

The role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in small firm internationalization: a systematic review and integrative model

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in small firm internationalization: a systematic review and integrative model

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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