Evolution of a research stream: Critical role of professor Cavusgil and Michigan State University

The most important of my research interests at MSU and beyond was the born global firm, companies that undertake international business at or near their founding. They have emerged in huge numbers in recent years, largely due to evolutionary environmental factors, such as globalization and advanced information and communications technologies. The trend is closely related to the internationalization of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). My interest in born globals and international SMEs sprang in part from MSU's emphasis on frontier issues in international business. MSU and Professor Cavusgil stressed research on issues highly relevant to practitioners, who want to know how to enhance competitive advantages and superior company performance.