Born global or born regional? Evidence from an exploratory study in the Costa Rican software industry

Findings show that there are few born-global firms among Costa Rican software providers, and it is found that most companies followed a gradual approach to internationalization, and they did not export immediately upon birth.

Abstract

This paper provides empirical evidence about born-global firms in the software industry of a small developing country with an open economy: Costa Rica. The paper is based on data collected through interviews with CEOs or founders of 40 Costa Rican software companies. Findings show that there are few born-global firms among Costa Rican software providers. We find that most companies followed a gradual approach to internationalization, and they did not export immediately upon birth. A careful analysis of firms that exported soon after they were born reveals that most firms are actually "born regional."