Internationalisation of born globals: the role of strategic alliances

This study aims to demonstrate the role of alliances in the internationalisation of born globals. Thus, we adopt qualitative research using two case studies in Portugal. Our results show that alliances are essential for born globals' internationalisation, boosting the competitiveness and sustainability of these firms. The creation of alliances permitted sharing of the risks and costs of investment in foreign markets and at the same time access to new knowledge and technologies. We provide new perspectives on the role of the founder in the internationalisation process. Contrary to what is claimed in the literature, their previous international experience is not an essential requirement.