Edinburgh Napier University

  There is substantial research to indicate that a positive correlation exists between firm-specific characteristics of Multinational Corporations (MNC's) and their international entrepreneurship, vis--vis the mode of market entry selected for overseas markets. Equally there is evidence to suggest that the level of international entrepreneurial orientation is related to specific prevailing factors in the host markets. Given that the importance and degree of international entrepreneurship has remarkably defined a new competitive landscape for international businesses, this paper considers the extent to which the nature of entry to overseas markets is predicated upon the existence of specific variables related to both the firm and the host markets. Accordingly, regression analysis models were used to test the relationship between independent variables related to the firm, the host markets and the level of involvement. This paper concludes that there are strong positive relationships between competitive intensity, degree of standardisation, extent of market research and political risks. Conversely, negative relationships were found in relation to cultural constructs (e.g. individualism and power distance) and the level of foreign involvement.