The Future of International Entrepreneurship Post-COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on international entrepreneurship. The purpose of this study is to assess the future of international entrepreneurship as a field of research and to propose the main consequences for scholars and practitioners post-COVID-19. We examine the three main macro-level global phenomena (digitalization, ecosystems, and institutional support) that are impacting the consequences and repercussions of international entrepreneurship during and post-COVID-19. Specifically, we present arguments for the rise of born digitals as the predominant form of internationalizing enterprises as well as for the importance of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and export support for sustaining international entrepreneurship post-COVID-19 and beyond. Based on the analysis, we provide recommendations for researchers on international entrepreneurship for potential future research avenues. The study also includes recommendations for policy and practice on public support of digital international entrepreneurship, small- and medium-sized enterprise export promotion, and ecosystem support.