Coordinate a Global Expansion : A study of How Born Global Firms Control and Coordinate their Internationalisation Process

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe and increase the understanding of how Born Global firms control and coordinate their organisation during the internationalisation process. It also aims to examine how the use of control and coordination mechanisms may evolve over time during the internationalisation process. Method: The study applies a qualitative research methodology and conducts a single case study with 14 semi-structured interviews. By studying the case firm’s entire lifetime, from the foundation to today’s operations, the study captures the whole internationalisation process of the firm. Conclusions: The limited access to resources and the need for speed were found as the underlying motives for how Born Global firms control and coordinate their organisation during the internationalisation process. Activities that reduced the focus on the long-term goal and risked slowing down the internationalisation process were avoided until they were required. While formal coordination mechanisms were scarcely used, informal coordination mechanisms were found to be the most valuable source of steering the Born Global firm throughout the process. The use of formal control mechanisms was limited during the whole process