Innovation and internationalization on the competitiveness of exporting firms: Lessons from South American emerging economies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build a new theoretical model from the interaction between two theoretical approaches. This model can explain the development of organizational innovations from a specific type of knowledge that the firm generate when they face internationalization process. Also, the model shows the effects of the innovations on the performance and competitiveness of the firm. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review, this study connects empirical evidence in two aspects. First, the development of institutional knowledge from experiential learning of the firm in foreign markets. Second, the influence of organizational innovations on the market performance in exporting firms from South American emerging economies. Findings The main finding of this study is that the connection between two theoretical perspectives, internationalization process and innovation, it is possible by the international entrepreneurship (IE) field, because IE establishes that the opportunities are in international borders and the firms exploit these opportunities when they build new experiential knowledge associated with institutional conditions in foreign markets. And then, the firms are able to create product innovations and services innovations from this knowledge. Originality/value This study shows the theoretical base for explaining that in South American emerging economies the exporting firms can build their competitive advantages based on innovations that arise when they do business in foreign markets.