Entrepreneurship and the Internationalisation of Asian Firms

International business has become one ofthe most important elds ofeconomic activity in todays globalising world economy. When business rms extend their operations across borders to become transnational corporations, they are often entering into host business environments that are fundamentally dierent from their home countries in terms ofinstitutional and market structures,industrial organisation,social relations,and cultural practices.To overcome these barriers to globalisation,transnational corporations (TNCs) need actors who are creative,proactive,adaptive,and resourceful in dierent countries;these are all aspects oftransnational entrepreneurship that pushes international business activities beyond just managing across borders.Sometimes,these actors in TNCs are the owners or founding entrepreneurs themselves.They often participate actively in the establishment and management offoreign operations.More commonly, these actors in transnational operations are intrapreneurs or professional managers who are neither founders nor owners,but are given much autonomy to initiate new practices and to manage transnational operations.They may be equally entrepreneurial in their approach to ensuring successful cross-border operations.Engaging in international business poses a serious challenge to founders and managers ofTNCs.It is clear that an understanding ofthe nature, modus operandi,and performance ofthese entrepreneurs and/or intrapreneurs is vital to the success ofinternational business operations by any TNC.