Innovation and collaboration in virtual teams of e-entrepreneurs Case evidence from the European tourism industry

Thaditionally, large businesses and multinational corporations dominated the internationalization process of the European tourism industry. Recent research evidence, however; indicates that a substantial proportion of smaller: growth-oriented businesses in this sector are engaged in, and actively pursue, a variety of innovative and collaborative internationalization strategies. Using longitudinal data from a pan-European survey of SMEs operating in the tourism industry, the authors examine the extent to which entrepreneurs innovate, cooperate and become involved in virtual teams of e-entrepreneurs. The competitive advantage of virtual teams is evaluated and an agenda for further research is suggested.