Conference Agenda

This study investigates the mediating role of Artificial Intelligence Capabilities (AIC) in the context of Digital Transformation (DT) and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) internationalization. Drawing on a comprehensive review of existing literature, this research is set to explore the mechanisms through which AIC adoption influences the relationship between DT initiatives and the internationalization strategies of SMEs. The theoretical framework integrates insights from seminal works on DT, AIC adoption, and international entrepreneurship, providing a foundation for formulating hypotheses and research questions. The proposed research method leverages insights from a diverse range of scholarly articles, systematically integrating data collection methods, measurement instruments, and analytical approaches. This study aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge on the interpl ay between digital transformation, AIC, and the internationalization efforts of SMEs, offering valuable implications for theory, practice, and policy.

Our study utilises the theoretical lens of the resource-based view and boundary spanning to explore the phenomena of digitalisation as a facilitating mechanism in relation to internationalisation. We also explore characteristics in smaller towns which are distinctive resources, such as social capital. Our study addresses the question: what is the role of digital capabilities and social capital as firm resources to international boundary spanning for smaller town SMEs and enablers to the internationalisation process?Drawing upon a variety of literature that inhabits the domain of international business and entrepreneurship, the study analyses 10 small firms, through semi-structured interviews, in the Lancashire region of the North West of the United Kingdom. Preliminary analysis and findings reveal that the role digital capabilities and cross-border mobilities play as a sustained competitive advantage aid in the creation of boundary spanning conditions which can lead to new internationalising opportunities. Digitalisation plays a major focus in terms of strategy, and some firms may serve as “digital champions” in smaller town regions.We expand upon the resource-based view to hone a deeper understanding of the combination of digital capabilities and social capital mechanisms which contribute to boundary spanning and sustained competitive advantages for internationalising SMEs in smaller towns.

This extensive research delves into the far-reaching effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on businesses, with a special emphasis on the game-changing effects on startup culture and economic growth. The study delves into how entrepreneurship is affected by AI adoption that impacts KPIs for the better, focusing on how it may be strategically used for personalized customer interaction. In order to increase and help entrepreneurial ventures succeed, the research highlights the need for tailored AI algorithms. The ability of enterprises to speed up data input and processing allows entrepreneurs to make data-driven decisions. Improving customer happiness and brand loyalty may be as simple as using AI algorithms to analyze consumer behavior and preferences and then tailoring an approach accordingly. According to the research, such a strategy has the potential to significantly enhance entrepreneurial success in the information and communication, manufacturing, and financial services sectors and regional advancement.

When a company expands overseas, it is required to realize the business model developed in its home country in the host country. As the case that a business model is to be realized in the host country, there are many cases where the business model in the home country cannot be copied as it is due to various factors. This process of modifying the business model and adjusting it to the environment has been studied as flexible replication. Many challenges remain in the realization of flexible replication. In particular, how to resolve the relationship with the company's headquarters is an important factor in the process of adjusting to the environment. This study will focus on the role of the IJV and its management, the business model importer, in this adjustment process. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify the role of the business model importer in flexible replication. In order to clarify the adjustment process of this study, we will take a managerial-historical approach to the study.

In Austria, women face a myriad of challenges, encompassing leadership roles, income disparities, and pension gaps. The gender wage gap stands at 19.3%, coupled with a concerning widening pension gap of 46.1%, highlighting substantial gender inequality and financial insecurity for women in their later years. The gender imbalances extend to the entrepreneurial sphere, where only 36% of startups are founded by women, and a significant 63.8% of founding teams are male dominated. This not only restricts diversity in business perspectives but also impedes the full realization of women's entrepreneurial potential. Furthermore, the Gender Funding Gap compounds the hurdles for female entrepreneurs, as male founders receive disproportionately more support, further amplifying the disparities in resources and opportunities. The Founders Lab - Female Entrepreneurs program in Vienna serves as a crucial platform for aspiring female founders, offering support and resources to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. This study aims to uncover the challenges faced by participants in this program, with a focus on gaining insights into success and failure factors. Additionally, the research seeks to contribute valuable information to the advancement of female entrepreneurship, empower female entrepreneurs for a vibrant startup ecosystem, and maximize the impact of programs like the Female Founders Lab.