Influence of generational change as a kind of behavioural patterns on the internationalisation process of small and medium sized family firms

While research has already begun in the scientific scene of International Entrepreneurship to investigate born-global companies, there is a dearth of research into so-called born-again global firms.
Considering that in times of ongoing globalization these firms will continue to arise, an exact demarcation of the under-researched phenomenon of born-again global is necessary.
Although, there is absolutely no clear definition of a born-again global, the most common opinion is that a generational change in management triggers the internationalisation process.
However, we continue to know very little about the particular mechanisms through which such circumstances lead to the emergence of born-again global firms. Against this background, this research aims to address the following research questions:
(1) How does generational change affect the internationalisation of family-owned firms?
(2) Are there any special managerial cognitions of a new CEO, who transforms such firms from a conservative, domestic-oriented into a risk-taking, innovative born-again global company?
Addressing these questions through the in-depth analysis of a case study, this paper will contribute to overcome the lack of knowledge on the drivers that lead to born-again global. Moreover, it researches the cognitive mechanisms that may underlie the shift from domestic to international in the context of family-owned SMEs.