Figure 1
Main characteristics of unintentional and intentional learning
| Features | Unintentional knowledge gathering | Intentional knowledge gathering |
|---|---|---|
| Learning dimension | Typical for noticing; common also in case of vicarious learning and experiential learning | Typical for searching; common also in case of vicarious learning and experiential learning |
| Newness of knowledge gathered | Both new knowledge and knowledge similar to the existing one | Rather knowledge similar to the existing one |
| Prerequisites | Depending on the entrepreneur's prior habits, beliefs, and willingness to make sense of unexpected knowledge | Depending on prior knowledge |
| Procedures of learning | Informal | Both formal and informal |
| Speed | Relatively slow | Relatively fast |
| Approach to learning | Reactive | Proactive |
Relationships among the codes in the “Network knowledge-gathering approach” category
| Code tree | L4.1.1 Relationship abuse | L4.1.2 Relationship profiting | L4.2.1 Unintentional |
|---|---|---|---|
| L4.1.2 Relationship profiting | 0 | ||
| L4.2.1 Unintentional | 2 | 19 | |
| L4.2.2 Intentional | 10 | 17 | 8 |
Characteristics of the studied INVs
| Company | (A) | (B) | (C) | (D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respondents | R1-Vice President | R1-President | R1-Sales Director | R1-President |
| Industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
| Year of founding | 1991 | 2000 | 2010 | 2007 |
| Internationalization beginning - years after founding | 3 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 2–3 |
| % of export in total turnover | More than 90% | More than 25% | 50%–70% | More than 30% |
| INV type | Export start-up | Export start-up | Export start-up | Multinational trader |
| Company size | Medium | Medium | Medium | Small |
Code matrix – main category “Learning”
| Codes | Company | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | |||||||
| R1 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | ||
| L Learning | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| L1 Learning sources | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L1.1 Information from network partners | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| L1.2 Information from clients | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| L1.3 Information from competitors | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| L1.4 Internal research-and-development | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| L1.5 Formalized information | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| L1.6 Others | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| L2 Knowledge types used in strategic decisions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| L3 Learning role | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| L4 Network knowledge-gathering approach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L4.1 Relationship approach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L4.1.1 Relationship abuse | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| L4.1.2 Relationship profiting | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| L4.2 Intentionality | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| L4.2.1 Unintentional | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| L4.2.2 Intentional | 2 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 22 |
| Total | 15 | 32 | 9 | 15 | 36 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 2 | 149 |