Learning for Global Success: How Young Firms Thrive Through Turbulence and Trust

What is it about?

This study explores how international learning effort influences the foreign market performance of young ventures operating in an emerging economy. It examines not only whether learning improves outcomes abroad, but also under what conditions this relationship becomes stronger or weaker. The researchers focus on two key contextual factors: market turbulence, which reflects the pace of change and uncertainty in the external environment, and intrafirm trust, which refers to the level of confidence and cooperation among employees within the firm. Using data from young Chinese international ventures, the study finds that greater learning effort enhances international performance. Moreover, this positive effect becomes stronger when market conditions are more turbulent and when trust among employees is higher. The findings also show that trust plays an especially critical enabling role in dynamic environments, helping firms to convert learning efforts into effective strategies when uncertainty is high. Together, these results highlight how both external dynamism and internal cohesion jointly shape international success. For entrepreneurs, the results emphasize the need to foster learning and trust within their organizations, especially when operating in fast-changing markets. Market turbulence can stimulate young ventures to learn more intensively and leverage that learning to strengthen their foreign performance. At the same time, high levels of trust allow employees to share knowledge, coordinate better, and adapt swiftly, turning uncertainty into opportunity.

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Photo by Vladislav Klapin on Unsplash

Photo by Vladislav Klapin on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This research contributes to international entrepreneurship by demonstrating that learning effort alone is not sufficient for global success—its impact depends on the level of turbulence in the market and the trust embedded within the organization. By identifying how these forces interact, the study provides a nuanced understanding of how young ventures in emerging economies can translate knowledge into results. In a world where global competition and uncertainty are increasing, these findings highlight the strategic value of building trust-based, learning-oriented organizations. Firms that combine internal collaboration with adaptive learning stand better equipped to seize opportunities and sustain growth in volatile international markets.