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Currently, knowledge around the role of international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) on different types of internationalisation is limited. This study aims to unveil whether and how IEO can improve international performance by focusing on the model adopted in the internationalisation process (a traditional versus born global model). Data were collected from 221 internationalised French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and analysed using a structural equation model. The results highlight that IEO had a significant positive effect on both international economic performance and export turnover for born globals, but not older firms. When we consider the IEO subdimensions, the findings show a stronger positive impact of both international proactiveness and innovativeness on the number of foreign markets and on export turnover for born globals. The study guides international SME managers on why and how they should adjust the IEO of their firms according to their internationalisation models to achieve superior performance internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the lead from stakeholder management theory, this study seeks to shed light on the association between the stakeholder pressure and the involvement of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sustainable actions. The study also proposes a moderating role of the business case for corporate sustainability on this relationship. Questionnaire responses from 135 French SMEs were analysed, confirming the positive effect of various stakeholders on the commitment to sustainable business practices among SMEs. The empirical results show that this effect differs according to the three pillars of sustainable development. Empirical results also suggest that a business case for sustainability is the overwhelming driver for the adoption of more responsibility-oriented practices. These results are consistent with the instrumental approach of stakeholder theory, which reveals that incorporating stakeholders' concerns into a firm's sustainability strategy depends on the owner-manager's perception of the economic-financial advantage of such practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to expand understanding of the determinants of adoption innovation in SME context by empirically examining the effect of corporate governance structure on manager's innovative behavior. This was done through exploring whether ownership structure affects managers’ innovative behavior and if so, whether the effect is mediated by board composition. Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of 197 managers within Tunisian SMEs, hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling and especially using covariance structure analysis (or LISREL method) with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 18.0 software and maximum likelihood estimation method. Findings – The paper found that ownership structure is significantly associated with manager's innovative behavior. Further analysis arising from introducing outsiders’ representation on the board as a mediating variable reveals that the relationship is fully mediated by this variable. Practical implications – This study gives insights to policy makers who are interested in improving board efficacy in emerging economies such as Tunisia. Indeed, the study results should encourage nominating committees and seniors to reflect warily on an effective structuring of board composition by ensuring a certain priority for innovation activities in the firm. Originality/value – This paper extends the understanding of how ownership structure shapes strategic decisions such as innovation in emerging markets. In addition, it fills the literature void by introducing the board composition as a mediating concept between ownership structure and innovative behavior, which was neglected by previous researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]