Internationalization of small firms: The importance of a global mindset

The article considers the cognitive processes causing a global mindset as a firm-specific capability. Existing research shows a strong causal relationship between the global mindset and small firms' internationalisation behaviour, that the main causal power from the explanatory variables goes through the global mindset and that the individual direct effects on internationalisation behaviour are minor in comparison. Possibilities of influencing small firms' internationalisation behaviour through the global mindset are discussed. The importance of international experience for the formation of the global mindset is emphasised. The article outlines methodological approaches for how the formation of a global mindset in small firms may be stimulated based on organisational learning and change management interventions.