Title: International opportunity recognition among Iranian practitioners: analysis and practical application

Authors: Peyman Ajdari; Ehsan Soltanifar; Manochehr Ansari

Addresses: Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad Ave., Gisha bridge, Tehran, Iran ' Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad Ave., Gisha bridge, Tehran, Iran ' Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad Ave., Gisha bridge, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: In this paper we have attempted to provide Iranian business practitioners with a profile on international opportunity recognition (IOR). After undertaking a review on IOR literature we have presented our methodology; thematic analysis on 43 semi-structured-interviews with Iranian companies working in the construction, mining and home appliances industries. This analysis extracted main themes from practitioners' responses by discussion based on literature, and led to a hierarchy and profile among themes. This profile revealed that brand reputation, human capital and trust in home country, and extension of company's FDI are antecedents that affect companies' IOR using a set of sources. The method we have developed for IOR-mapping could help international business scholars in other countries to analyse their practitioners' situation at IOR and facilitate this process at national or regional level.

Keywords: international entrepreneurship; international business; international opportunity recognition; IOR; Iran; construction industry; mining industry; home appliances industry; brand reputation; human capital; trust; foreign direct investment; FDI.

DOI: 10.1504/JIBED.2016.080017

Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 2016 Vol.9 No.4, pp.379 - 397

Received: 09 Nov 2015
Accepted: 26 Jan 2016
Published online: 28 Oct 2016 *

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